Sheffield Hallam student awarded Stephen Lawrence scholarship

14th July 2017

A first year law student from Sheffield Hallam University has been awarded a place on the Freshfields Stephen Lawrence Scholarship Scheme 2017.

Conor Jones-Bishop will join the scheme which aims to address the disproportionate under-representation in large commercial law firms of black men (African or African-Caribbean, and mixed-race African or mixed-race African-Caribbean) from low-income households. In memory of Stephen Lawrence, the scheme is run by Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and supported by Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon, OBE, who is also an Honorary Doctor of Sheffield Hallam University. To apply, students must meet the above criteria and be in their first year, typically studying towards a qualifying law degree at a UK university. This year, for the first time, six pilot universities were invited to nominate eligible non-law students. Having attended a state school before university, they must display exceptional talent in terms of a range of attributes which include resilience, communication and people skills. Applications are made by universities on behalf of students, with candidates also submitting a two minute supporting video. Successful applicants then attend a two day assessment centre at Freshfields in London, before final scholars are chosen. Scholars awarded receive a contribution towards course fees and associated study-related costs, work shadowing during university holidays, an alternative route to interview for a training contract at Freshfields, interview coaching and mentoring. Conor is the first ever law student from Sheffield Hallam to be awarded the prestigious scholarship. Conor said: "This is a huge opportunity for me to further progress on my career path and I'm very grateful first and foremost to Freshfields for having this scheme in place, but also to my University lecturers for putting me forward. "I feel really excited to get underway with the scheme and see how it can help me grow, not only as a prospective lawyer, but also as a person."  Professor Liz Smart, head of law at Sheffield Hallam, said: -Conor is an excellent student who has worked extremely hard both from an academic and an extra-curricular perspective and this has helped him to be successful in his application for the scholarship scheme. -He has already taken full advantage of the opportunities provided to him as a first year law student at Sheffield Hallam and we are very proud of his achievements so far.