The Founding Event - 2018
In 2018, a group of University of Bristol students, headed by Prekshi Gulia, aimed to increase awareness of the barriers students from disadvantaged backgrounds face in their pursuit of a legal career. Thus, a diversity-based Panel Event was organized; inviting successful individuals within the legal profession to speak about their own career journeys, and the trials and hardships they tackled.
This single event gained so much traction, and struck so much inspiration among students, that there was a great push to turn this into a recurring diversity initiative, rather than a
one-off event.
The academic year that followed, saw this initiative having snowballed into Unity & Diversity in Law, the University of Bristol's first student society based entirely on breaking down barriers and advocating for the representation of diverse candidates within Law.
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Founder: Prekshi Gulia.
An Established Society - 2019/20
The first year of Unity & Diversity in Law as a student society saw many great accomplishments.
From tradition being carried forward with another Diversity Panel Event, to a newfound partnership with law firm Eversheds Sutherland allowing many more exciting events and competitions!
President: Nadina Miltiadou.
Vice-President: Valentina Garcia.
A Year of Growth - 2020/21
The second year of the Unity & Diversity in Law saw great achievements despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sponsorships increased 9-fold from the previous year and saw our membership jump to 150 members. In the ethos of our foundation we created 'Grassroots' Bristol's first and only legal social mobility programme delivering multiple 'How to ...' events, such as How to Network; Build Commercial Awareness; and Interview. As well as establishing the first relationship between a Bristol law society and a Non-Russell group law society allowing many more underrepresented students to share in the success of our sponsorship.
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We also got our new logo which is here to stay!
President: Oscar Smith.
Vice-President: Alishba Saadat.
A Year of Innovation & Inclusivity - 2021/22
Adapting to a hybrid lifestyle, we held the greatest range of events including the largest event in the society's history.
This year we increased sponsorship by 80% and collaborated with 16 city law firms, enabling us to provide exclusive application workshops in support of our 'How to...' series. This provided members with an invaluable insight into the legal profession and how to be successful in their applications.
'My Diversity is My Strength' has been the most popular event in the society's history, involving esteemed speakers from the Bar and top City Law Firms. This event inspired our members to push forward in overcoming systemic barriers to achieve their fullest potential.
We were incredibly proud to introduce our first ever 'Non-Commercial Awareness Programme,' which helped students to explore and venture into the sectors of academia, human rights, and public law.
Most importantly, we continued to nurture an environment of collaboration, inclusivity and support. Our diversity is our strength and we are stronger together.
President: Isabelle Ford.
Vice-President: Navya Reddy.
