Burness Paull has become the first Scottish law firm to support the 93% Club as a corporate sponsor, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to widening access and promoting greater inclusivity within the legal profession.
The 93% Club is described as the UK’s “least exclusive members’ club” dedicated to representing the 93% of the UK population who attended state schools. The organisation exists to create a fairer, more inclusive future for the next generation by tackling social mobility barriers and addressing class inequality across professional sectors in the UK.
It strives to reshape industries where state-educated individuals have historically been underrepresented, while providing its members with resources and opportunities to thrive in competitive professional environments. The aim is to ensure everyone feels valued and talent is recognised based on merit, not background.
With clubs at the University of Edinburgh, the University of St Andrews, and the University of Glasgow, the 93% Club is committed to strengthening its presence across Scotland. Burness Paull is proud to support this commitment and play a key role in driving its expansion.
Ellie Wardrope, COO of the 93% Club, commented: “The 93% Club is excited to partner with Burness Paull as we expand our reach in Scotland. With a focus on supporting our largest clubs in Edinburgh and St Andrews, this collaboration will enable us to provide resources and opportunities for state-educated students in the region. We recognise the unique challenges students in Scotland face, which differ from those in the rest of the UK.”
Burness Paull is proud to lead the way in widening access to the legal profession. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our recruitment strategy, and we are committed to driving meaningful change.
As part of this commitment, we’ve partnered with The Robertson Trust to launch Scotland’s first legal career pathway for talented students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative provides scholars with access to our summer internship scheme, which can lead to future traineeships. We are also a member of the PRIME programme, offering fair access to quality work experience for school-age students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and partners of the LawScot Foundation that further expands access to the legal profession.
Beyond partnerships, we’ve adjusted our recruitment process to prioritise inclusivity. By adopting a behavioural-based selection approach in place of traditional aptitude tests, we’re levelling the playing field for candidates. Our use of a contextual recruitment system also ensures we understand candidates’ achievements within the context of their socio-economic experiences.
Our efforts have earned the firm recognition with recent wins at the s1 Jobs Recruitment Awards for Diversity & Inclusion and Early Careers, as well as at the enei Inclusivity Excellence Awards for Workplace Social Mobility and Inclusion
Emma Smith, inclusion and wellbeing manager at Burness Paull, said: "As with many professional services sectors, there have long been social mobility challenges in the legal profession.
“Burness Paull is committed to levelling the playing field and driving meaningful change in the industry by widening access to legal careers and fostering a culture of respect, equity, and inclusion.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, while also recognising that there is always more to be done. That’s why we’re partnering with the 93% Club, a powerful advocate for social mobility, to amplify our efforts. Together, we aim to create lasting change in the legal sector, ensuring an environment where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive."
Sohaib Hussain, solicitor in the firm’s construction and projects team and member of the 93% Club, commented: “Having had the opportunity to speak at and attend a number of 93% Club events, I’m delighted that Burness Paull has become a corporate sponsor.
“I’ve seen the impact that meeting and connecting with students and other professionals can have on raising aspiration, improving confidence and sharing knowledge for those from a state-educated background. Burness Paull’s support will allow the 93% Club to reach more people across Scotland, break down barriers, and help create a fairer future for the next generation.”
