BAME bursary for first-year law student

First year law student Samira Ahmed has been chosen as the recipient of the Mills & Reeve BAME Development Award.  Samira who is studying at De Montfort University, impressed the judging panel with her resilience, how she responded to life’s challenges and her determination to succeed as a lawyer.  The Award will provide Samira with work experience at Mills & Reeve, financial support and a mentor from the firm. 

The award was set up with Birmingham Black Lawyers, a networking group that encourages a higher level of integration within the profession. The group supports students and junior staff and acts as a bridge between the more established lawyers allowing them to share knowledge and experience.

Mills & Reeve has a taskforce in place that works to increase the proportion of BAME staff. The firm recently launched its BAME and Allies Network that supports staff, raises awareness and promotes diversity and equality issues.

Dawn Brathwaite, Partner and BAME and Allies Network Chair said:  ‘This award is very important to us. We work hard to encourage and support students from under-represented communities to qualify as lawyers.  The standard of the applications was extremely high but Samira’s application stood out.  We look forward to working with her over the next year.”