From Courtroom to Career: Young People Explore Pathways into Law
Young people on Youth Leads UK’s Leadership Programme visited Beyond Corporate Law Group, a local firm making a big impact in their community, to gain first-hand insight into careers in the legal sector.
For many young people, this was their first time stepping inside a law firm, helping to break down barriers and challenge perceptions about who a career in law is for.
They were welcomed by Alana Pearson, Millie Brookes, Jason Stanley and Gabe McGoff to an interactive industry insight session at Beyond Corporate Law Group’s offices in Deansgate. The team created a warm, inclusive environment that encouraged curiosity, confidence, and open conversation from the outset.
The session opened with a fun and engaging ‘networking bingo’ activity. The Beyond Law team provided a printed grid filled with unique questions, challenging young people to move around the room, start conversations, and discover who matched each answer. Once a row or full grid was completed, participants called out “bingo, with three young people winning prizes. This activity helped break the ice, build confidence, and show young people that networking can be accessible, enjoyable, and empowering.
Young people then learned about the different legal teams within the firm, including the award-winning corporate law practice Beyond, the number one family law practice McCallister Family Law, and the award-winning construction law practice Hawkswell Kilvington. This exposure highlighted the breadth of opportunities within law, helping young people understand that the sector offers diverse roles aligned with different interests and strengths.
Each professional shared their personal journey into the legal sector, demonstrating that there is no single route into law. Some followed more traditional university pathways, while others emphasised the importance of networking, seizing opportunities, and building relationships within the legal community.
Hearing these varied experiences helped young people recognise that their own skills, determination, and lived experiences can play a valuable role in shaping their future careers.
A young participant on the programme said:
“It was a great session, and I felt there were some really useful insights into different routes which I had never considered before. I learnt, laughed and listened, and really appreciated how all my questions were answered. The session actually made me reconsider my university choices. I’m excited to see what’s next!”
The team at Beyond Corporate said:
“To quote one of our internal mantras at Beyond Corporate, we are always looking to ‘be more!’ and what better place to do just that than alongside Youth Leads, working with their young people. The young people who take part in the Youth Leads programme are immensely committed, keen to learn and showcase the very best in the younger generations. We were delighted to have the opportunity to host an industry insight session, which allowed us to take the young people through the challenges and the rewards of entering the legal industry.”
They added: “We were blown away by their level of engagement, which emphasises the importance of creating and continuing to support positive spaces for young people to learn and develop their skills whilst knowing they are in a safe and supported environment.”
Saeed Atcha MBE DL, Founder and CEO at Youth Leads UK, said:
“We are committed to giving young people meaningful access to professional spaces and real insight into the careers available to them. Partnerships like this with Beyond Corporate Law Group play a vital role in widening participation, building confidence, and showing young people that leadership and professional success are within their reach.”
Through Industry Insight sessions with partners like Beyond Corporate Law Group, Youth Leads UK is widening horizons and empowering young people to confidently step into professional spaces.
