EY Empower - Law Graduate Programme 2023

About the Bright Network - EY Empower Programme

EY Empower is a new initiative developed in partnership with Bright Network, specifically designed to support those who come from traditionally under-represented groups in the industry.

If accepted on to the programme, you will be offered in-depth coaching and support throughout the rest of the EY recruitment process, to help you realise your full potential.

This will be provided across a variety of formats, including group and 1-2-1 coaching sessions, and sign-posting to relevant upskilling tools and material.

EY Empower: Law Graduate Programme

Bring your innovative and analytical mindset to our Assurance teams and help local and global businesses navigate our complex world.

Deliver business solutions to local and global clients. Develop skills for an exciting career in Law. And embark on a career journey you can own, shape and grow.

About the programme

Our Legal business works both independently and seamlessly with other EY sectors. We deliver complete business solutions to clients, helping build trust and confidence in worldwide economies and industries. In our Law team, you'll enjoy the opportunity to work with leading professionals, enabling change and helping to shape our legal business. You'll learn new skills that will help you develop into a fully rounded and forward-thinking lawyer. And your proactive, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial outlook will be nurtured in our people-focussed culture. Work on a large variety of projects – from one-week tasks to multi-year contracts. Collaborate beyond borders. And gain the technical experience for the future. A future as a qualified solicitor.

What will you be doing?

• Completing four, six-month seats within various legal practice areas.
• Assisting our lawyers with exciting high-profile work.
• Meeting clients and taking on responsibility for seeing matters through to completion.
• Working on business development, marketing and pitches.
• Working with EY colleagues from other business areas to deliver legal services as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• You may also enjoy the opportunity to undertake a client secondment.

How is it structured?

Join an inclusive and collaborative team of professionals who will support you in your career journey and guide you on client work. Throughout your time at EY, you'll have plenty of training and development opportunities. We'll provide you with the experiences, tools and technology to personalise your career.

During the programme, you'll gain further knowledge and complete four six-month seats within the following areas: Transactions, Corporate Structuring, Commercial and Digital, Employment, Energy, Financial Services Regulatory, Data Protection and Controversy/Disputes. Throughout each of your four seats, you'll learn through experiences and receive additional tailored technical training in the relevant practice area.

Alongside our programme offering, we give you all the training and exposure to real-world work you could want. We also offer company-wide and programme-specific rewards that make all the hard work worthwhile. These include wellbeing initiatives, a free tech MBA, healthcare support, a pension scheme and more.

Technology in Law

EY Law is at the forefront of technology and legal innovations, benefiting the business, our clients and our people. This is where you’ll use this technology to advise clients and build a better working world. Ready to start the journey?

This is where your adventure begins and where you have every opportunity to build an exceptional experience. Embrace the challenge as you help us build a better working world for everyone.

Are you eligible to apply?

If you meet the EY Empower criteria below, you’re in your final year at university, or if you’ve already graduated, this opportunity is for you. 

To be eligible for the EY Empower programme, you must identify within any of the listed groups below:

• A minority ethnic group, including (but not limited to) Black Heritage, Mixed/Multiple Ethnic Heritage and Asian 
• Female
• LGBTQ+
• From a lower socio-economic background
• Identify as having a disability
• For this programme, the LPC is required

We operate an open access policy, meaning we don’t screen out applications on your academic performance alone. You will however, need to be working towards an honours degree in any subject - some programmes will require a subject relevant to the business area, and have a minimum of grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths and three A-levels/Five Highers (or equivalent) to be eligible to apply.

EY welcome applications from all students, regardless of their background. If the above does not apply to you, please submit your application directly - here

The process

To get started, fill in a short initial application form and answer one motivational question by clicking the apply now button.
If your initial application is successful, you will then receive details of how to access the relevant coaching and support sessions, along with the instructions of how to complete EY’s application portal as an Empower programme candidate.

Note: If you’ve applied for EY in the last 6 months, unfortunately you will be unable to apply for this opportunity.

Learn more

Immerse yourself in our world whilst exploring your options at the forefront of business. Get to know the part you could play in our organisation. And discover what it means to experience EY your way.

Find out more about our opportunities and how to apply.

Our world. Your way.