The partnership with the University’s Law School will focus on developing the next generation of “NewLaw professionals”, by bringing the evolution of the legal sector and the associated new career opportunities into the core of the curriculum.

This partnership will see the introduction of the Ashurst Advance NewLaw Programme to the curriculum for BA Law and LLB students completing the Commercial Awareness Module in the 2020/2021 academic year.

Tikus Little, senior lecturer in law at the University of Stirling, said: “We pride ourselves on being a modern, outward facing law school combining academic excellence with an emphasis on employability, and so this partnership fits in well with our ethos and presents a wonderful opportunity for our students. They will benefit enormously from meaningful and sustained engagement with the team from Ashurst, and the NewLaw programme will add significantly to their skill set.”

Carolyn O’Connor, HR manager for the national early careers programs at Ashurst, said: “We are very pleased to be working with the University of Stirling to inspire and offer a unique opportunity to the next generation of legal professionals to help prepare them for successful careers.

“This new collaboration builds on our existing relationship, further expanding on our contribution to the University’s current commercial awareness module and as one of the employers involved in its work experience programme. Being able to provide work placements allows us to support young people to enhance their learning experience and supplement taught theory, by educating them on the commercial reality of the legal industry.”

Mike Polson, partner and head of Ashurst Advance Delivery, said: “The practice of law and the role of legal professionals is changing rapidly, and the education of our future ‘NewLaw’ professionals needs to reflect this new dynamic. This new programme is innovative and forward-looking, not only broadening and deepening the students’ knowledge of ‘NewLaw’, but also providing them with the skills and behaviours needed to meet the demands of the changing legal services market.”