What is the D+ law academy?
The Diversity+ Law Academy is an opportunity for aspiring lawyers from less advantaged backgrounds to learn new skills, with the aim of securing a training contract. It is designed to align with the academic year.
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The idea for the D+ Law Academy came from an overwhelming influx of students and graduates approaching Diversity+, unable to secure a traineeship and concerned about their future. Upon further research, there was a clear pattern that all of these students faced some disadvantages - women, individuals with disabilities, individuals from minority ethnic groups, those without lawyers in the family or who are the first in their family to attend university, and more. ​
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So we created this academy to support these students; to help level the playing field when it comes to applications and skills. To do this, we assign tasks to the students to identify and reduce skill gaps, while building their CV. We also provide workshops and networking opportunities through collaborations with external organisations.
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Our first cohort started in September 2024, and was a huge success, securing traineeships for 10 of our 14 students, with others sourcing invaluable work experience opportunities. We have now launched our 2025/26 cohort with a determined and enthusiastic cohort of 13 students.
Diversity+ Law Academy
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What happens in the academy
The academy involves a variety of tasks, workshops, events, and learning opportunities to prepare the students for traineeship applications, and provide practical skills for working in the legal profession.
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Diversity+ provides the students with skill-based tasks such as researching areas of Scots law, writing minutes in D+ Law Academy meetings, writing blogs about EDI in the legal profession, public speaking at academy events, and contributing to EDI resources (specifically help create our eBook for National Inclusion Week).
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We also arrange professional-led workshops in a variety of subjects, with previous workshop focuses including:
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Job applications, CVs and cover letters (with Allison Hill of Jigsaw Solutions)
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Mock interviews to improve their presentation skills
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Using social media to help raise your professional profile (with Julie Hecht of PELO Marketing)
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Finally, we work with Berry, a mentoring service founded by Lizzie Donaldson, and The Life Project, run by Beccy Calderwood. Together, Lizzie and Beccy provide the students with personal development workshops and match the students with trained mentors within the profession - a working relationship that can provide support and guidance even after the law academy year ends.
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Group photo from our 2025/26 Academy Launch event, attended by students, sponsors, collaborators and supporters, and hosted by The Law Society of Scotland
Photos from our first workshops of the 2025/26 year, with Berry and The Life Project
How can you get involved?
The D+ Academy project is funded entirely by Diversity+, through our private consultancy work. As with all of our pro bono projects, our motto has always been: We can’t and don’t want to do this alone. There is nothing inclusive about that’ - nor will it bring about long term, sustainable improvements and change. We are indebted to those organisations and individuals who donate their time, energy and money into assisting us reach our aims and make our vision a reality.
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Diversity+ Law Academy only exists with your help - and we ask you to share your knowledge and resources with us.
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Financial Sponsorship
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The best way to support the Diversity+ Law Academy is through financial sponsorship. We are actively seeking firms for an offer of £1,000 to sponsor the next cohort of the academy.
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By financially supporting this project, as well as helping several less advantaged students gain the skills they need to continue their legal career, you will also benefit from
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Public acknowledgement for being a sponsor, via social media, logo representation on the Diversity+ website and event materials, and more.
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Permitted use of the Diversity+ logo on your website, to showcase your involvement with the project.
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Boost firm attractiveness as an EDI-forward company, opening your doors to more talent, innovation, and financial profits.
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Access to Diversity+ resources
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Discount on EDI training at your firm or organisation
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Opportunity for solicitors from your firm to be trained as mentors
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Learn more about the benefits D+ Law Academy has to the industry, too - read Naeema's blog post.
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Resources
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​If you are unable to provide financial support, please share with your communities to encourage others to sponsor. We also welcome assistance in the following ways:
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Talent and expertise - via hosting or contributing to our skill workshops
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PR support and networking - to expand awareness of the academy and its goals
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Use of your facilities - to host our workshops and events
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Meet our 2025/26 sponsors of the Diversity+ Law Academy
What are students and collaborators saying about Diversity+ Law academy
Annie Allan, D+ Law Academy student from our 2024/25 cohort
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You can read more about Annie's personal journey here
Madiha Waseem, D+ Law Academy Student from our 2024/25 cohort​
Our sponsor Weightmans held a breakfast information session for the students, to give them an insight into what firms are looking for when recruiting trainees, and offer advice on the day-to-day of working in the legal profession.
Allison Hill, HR specialist and founder of Jigsaw Solutions, who supported the D+ Law Academy by providing a CV and cover letter workshop.
Lizzie Donaldson, founder of Berry and collaborator for D+ Law Academy Mentorship Programme
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Lindsays, who provided mock interviews and personalised feedback to our 2024/25 cohort, and are now an official 2025/26 financial sponsor.​