BPP Business School and SJ Berwin have teamed up to launch a bespoke masters programme in business for trainee solicitors in a bid to improve their commercial awareness.
The firm has struck a deal with BPP to provide a tailored masters programme that will see the firm’s trainees ’top-up’ their Legal Practice Course (LPC) during their training contract to gain an MA (Law in Business) upon qualification.
Head of learning and development at SJ Berwin Ann Collier said: “Our goal is that when they qualify as solicitors in two years’ time, these trainees will be more well rounded commercial advisers and able to provide a better service to our clients than would typically be the case of lawyers at this early stage in their careers.”
The programme, which trainees will study part-time to fit in the demands of the training contract, will include a work placement to one of the firm’s clients.
Last month the first cohort of trainees kick-started the course, which will be delivered from BPP College of Professional Studies’ new City branch.
Dean of BPP Business School Chris Brady said: “Combining a dedicated business programme with legal study will help solicitors understand the environment in which their clients work, frame their advice appropriately and help them anticipate their clients needs – thereby giving better service and results. This MA is a sign of things to come.”
The news comes after Simmons & Simmons launched the first dedicated legal MBA with BPP in a bid to manage the size of its future trainee solicitor intakes.
Readers' comments (1)
Anonymous | 15-Apr-2010 11:37 pm
I'm starting the Vac scheme in July at SJ Berwin and, as an LLB undergrad, am all too happy to see diversity in education as a result of training to be part of the firm.
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