Securing a legal scholarship can give Bermudian law students a head start in their career.
Luckily, many of Bermuda’s top law firms are deeply invested in the futures of these students.
Marshall Diel & Myers Limited offers a scholarship of up to $15,000 to a Bermudian student with outstanding scholastic achievement who is pursuing legal studies at an institution that will qualify the student for call to the Bermuda Bar – although in the past this amount has been divided amongst Bermudian students who qualify for the award depending on their needs.
Managing director Katie Tornari said: “We are looking for dedicated and high-achieving Bermudian students who will be the future of our firm.
“The overwhelming majority of our lawyers are Bermudian and we pride ourselves in growing the next generation of Bermudian lawyers.”
Ideal candidates demonstrate a strong academic performance, leadership qualities and a genuine passion for the legal profession.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The scholarship is available to those who intend to return to Bermuda to practise law, but Ms Tornari said: “We are also open to providing scholarships to those Bermudian candidates who may want to qualify first in a Commonwealth jurisdiction such as England and Wales before they return to Bermuda to work as attorneys.”
This scholarship provides a wealth of opportunity for students.
“Studying law is expensive and legal scholarships provide significant financial assistance to cover tuition fees, flight expenses, living expenses and study materials,” Ms Tornari said.
“This allows students to focus on their education without the added financial stress.”
Legal scholarships like the one offered by Marshall Diel & Myers also provide mentorship opportunities and the chance to network with other lawyers.
“We remain in contact with our scholarship recipients and offer guidance and mentoring,” Ms Tornari said.
“This is invaluable to students in terms of building their connections in Bermuda and increasing their prospects of finding employment once their studies have been completed.”
The deadline for Marshall Diel & Myers scholarship is March 31 and any questions can be directed to [email protected]. More information is available at https://www. law.bm/.
Another big scholarship opportunity is offered by Appleby, one of the world’s leading international law firms.
The Appleby Legal Education Scholarship is awarded to a Bermudian student studying law who plans to return to Bermuda to practice. The firm also offers the Appleby/ Berkeley Institute Scholarship for current graduating students of the Berkeley Institute who need financial assistance to continue their education in Bermuda or abroad; while Bermudian students studying at university who have the intention to return to Bermuda can apply for Appleby Legal Education Bursaries.
“As a firm, we have a longstanding dedication to nurturing the future generation of lawyers for Bermuda, alongside our growing practice areas specialisations,” said Brad Adderley, Bermuda managing partner.
“We are excited to watch and support young adults as they pursue their studies and begin their professional journeys.”
INTERNSHIPS AND MENTORSHIP
Mr Adderley said that the firm is looking for top-notch students, but scholarships and bursaries are also based on community involvement and extracurricular activities.
These recipients can also apply for summer internships to gain work experience which has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many of Bermuda’s lawyers.
The newly redesigned eight-week summer internship programme has a mentorship component. It’s also collaborative and provides an enriching opportunity to learn from peers, mentors and also from lunch and learns and additional training. There is even a unique mock trial project.
“Our trainee programme has been very successful over many years with some of our current partners having been Appleby scholars and having undergone our trainee programme when they first started their careers,” Mr Adderley said.
More information including deadlines for Appleby’s various programmes can be found at https://www.applebyglobal.com/scholarships-bursaries-internships/.
Conyers is another leading international law firm with a network of offices around the world. It offers Legal Education Awards to Bermudian students pursuing a law degree, providing students with financial assistance of up to $30,000 per year.
While the primary consideration for the grant of a legal award is academic excellence, Conyers’ scholarship committee considers qualities like community involvement, leadership and a demonstrated commitment to returning to Bermuda to practise law.
“In addition to financial support, scholarship recipients are invited to participate in our Summer Law Student Programme. This internship allows students to gain practical experience by working on active matters, conducting legal research and drafting documents across various practice areas, such as corporate, litigation and private client and trust,” said Lisa Spencer-Arscott, global head of human resources at Conyers.
“Participants are mentored by our experienced lawyers, providing valuable insights into the legal profession. This mentorship continues even after the summer programme, and many students who return to Conyers to practise law already have a network within the firm. This ongoing support is a key reason why we’ve been so successful in hiring Bermudians.”
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
She said that Conyers has a long-standing commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal professionals in Bermuda.
“Our scholarship and internship programs have been integral to this mission for many years,” says Spencer-Arscott. “We believe that by investing in the education and practical training of Bermudian law students, we are not only supporting individual career development but also strengthening the legal community in Bermuda as a whole.”
Beyond the Legal Education Awards, Conyers promotes professional development through various student programmes in Bermuda, including a Gap Year Programme and a Smart Start programme. The firm also hosts regular networking and open house events, allowing students to explore the legal profession and potential career paths in law.
The deadline for the Legal Education Award is April 17. Applications for the Summer Law Student Programme are accepted until March 31 for the upcoming summer term. Interested candidates can find more details and application forms on their website at https://www.conyers.com/about-us/careers/graduates-students/.
