For those who may not be familiar with the concept, what does a 'teaching law firm' set out to do? The teaching law firm model has parallels to the teaching hospital model traditionally seen in the medicine discipline context, providing the opportunity for our students to obtain valuable work experience and develop their practical skills alongside their studies. NLS Legal was the first of its kind when it became regulated in 2015 and it remains a model that is rare in the UK and international higher education sectors. As a teaching law firm, alongside the typical law school academic and extra-curricular opportunities (student societies; mooting; competitions, etc.) offered at Nottingham Law School, we give our students the opportunity MY LEGAL LIFE 27 to work under supervision in a regulated law firm. Data shows that this work experience complements and enhances our students’ academic and employability outcomes, with our students consistently more likely to achieve a higher degree classification when compared with their peers who do not undertake work experience with us alongside their studies. There are also opportunities for students to undertake paid placements with us and gain Qualifying Work Experience. The second, and equally as important, aspect to our work is to help bridge the gap in access to legal services across Nottinghamshire. Through the very generous support of Nottingham Trent University, we can offer pro bono legal services to those who would otherwise not be able to access legal advice – be that because of their financial circumstances or due to other barriers, such as lack of availability of a local legal aid provider. What ‘Teaching Law Firms’ Have to Offer My Legal Life With Callum Scott ‘Teaching law firms’ present an alternative to typical higher education that combines a law degree with on-thejob experience. In this feature, we hear more on the concept from Callum Scott, a newly qualified solicitor at NLS Legal. Speaking from first-hand experience, he offers his insights as to the benefits that teaching law firms can offer aspiring lawyers.
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