This follows the previous collaboration between NatWest Group and SEMLA in October 2020 when two students undertook virtual work experience with the OT&IP legal team. The feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive.

The week will be designed to allow participating students to get a feel for what it is like to work in an in-house legal team for a financial services organisation and in the technology space. The week will include:

• A session on what the OT&IP legal team does and how it helps internal stakeholders;
• Gaining an understanding of outsourcing and technology agreements, intellectual property and GDPR;
• A session with some of the current NatWest Group trainees around what being a trainee involves and the kind of work they typically get involved in;
• Sessions on design thinking, legal project management and psychological safety and how these are being applied by the OT&IP team in practice; and
• A one-to-one call with a ‘legal buddy’ who will be happy to chat to you and answer any questions that you may have about the legal profession.

This opportunity is open to current LLB and Diploma students members. Interested students should e-mail their application to advocate Usman Tariq of SEMLA (usman.tariq@advocates.org.uk) with the heading “NatWest Work Experience”.

The application should consist of your CV and a statement of 200 words or less explaining why you are keen to gain work experience with the OT&IP legal team of NatWest Group.

The deadline for applications is Friday 26 March 2021.

Deputy general counsel, Donald Macdonald, said: “We are delighted to support SEMLA in offering these work placements. As a purpose led bank, we champion the potential of people, families and businesses and we are proud to build a great place to work for all of our colleagues.

“We believe that it is important to take positive action to increase diversity and access to the profession and offering work placements is one meaningful way in which we can create opportunities for BAME students. We hope that the experience they gain will help them to thrive in their future careers.”

Usman Tariq of SEMLA said: “I am delighted that SEMLA is able to build on its relationship with NatWest Group. The students who undertook similar placements in October spoke in glowing terms about their experiences and it is great that more students will benefit from these fantastic opportunities.

“Access into the profession is a particular challenge for BAME law students who often do not have existing connections in the profession to open doors for them. Work placements play a crucial role in helping bridge the gap from University to the profession. It is great to see organisations like NatWest Group taking meaningful action to create opportunities for BAME law students and it is hoped that others might follow their lead.”