The program will be available in the UK, EMEA, the Americas and APAC regions
Clifford Chance has announced a free international virtual legal internship program that will be made available in the UK, EMEA, the Americas and APAC regions.
The firm has partnered with e-learning tech company InsideSherpa on the initiative, and has received support from UK’s University of York to develop problem-based learning programs. It will be opened to students beginning August.
“Through the collaboration of lawyers from across the firm's global network to create the curriculum for the internships, students will get an opportunity to experience first-hand working at an international law firm,” Clifford Chance said in a media release.
The firm said that the internships will consist of “between 6 and 12 hours of content with each internship focused on a topical, global issues and client work, including climate change, human rights and cyber security.” Students may enter the program regardless of degree, alma mater or year of study.
Program participants will engage in activities and tasks that reflect the work they would perform as lawyers. They will be assisted by some of the firm’s partners and senior associates in the form of video recordings and guidance materials.
Students can complete the program at their own pace, and in the process obtain a certificate from the Clifford Chance Academy.
By making the internship a virtual experience, Clifford Chance casts a wider net and circumvents the accessibility challenge posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We expect the participants to be the most internationally and socio-economically diverse group of students that we have ever welcomed. By removing any financial or physical constraints on the students' participation we are offering a programme and introduction to law that is both internationally-focused and accessible to all,” said Laura Yeates, Clifford Chance’s head of graduate talent in London.
“Despite the disruption and uncertainty caused by COVID-19, we are committed to providing students across our key markets with the opportunity to experience Clifford Chance's unique culture and get a better understanding of a career in the law—albeit in a different way,” said Jeroen Ouwehand, senior partner and the senior sponsor of the internship program.
