Roger Leyland Memorial Scholarship

About us:

At Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, we align your growth and ambition with ours. We invest in your personal and professional growth and support you to achieve your ambitions. And you share responsibility for playing a part in delivering the firm’s growth and ambition too.

A leading global law firm, with over 6,000 people, we are in the world's largest markets, key financial centres and major growth hubs. We’re recognised leaders in demanding contentious matters, exacting regulatory work and complex public and private transactions.

We’re immersed in the many challenges facing our clients. We’re invested and resourceful. We understand the part technology and digitalisation play in the delivery of legal services. We want to make a positive impact wherever in the world we operate. You’ll have the opportunity to engage with an open mind and curiosity.

We are known for our diverse perspectives and renowned for our culture. Being human, bold and outstanding are more than our values: you’ll discover they are our lived experience. And by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer: Your growth. Our ambition.

The opportunity:

At HSF Kramer, we're passionate about nurturing diverse talent. In collaboration with Rare Recruitment, we're proud to present the Roger Leyland Memorial Scholarship, a unique initiative designed to support aspiring lawyers from black and minority ethnic backgrounds.

Roger Leyland was a partner at HSFKramer and the first Black partner at a leading City firm. He served as a sitting governor on the Council of the College of Law, demonstrating his deep commitment to supporting the growth and development of young lawyers. This scholarship is a tribute to his legacy and a testament to our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Each year, one deserving scholar will receive:

- A generous award of £9000, spread over three years of study.

- A guaranteed place on our First Year Workshop, offering a glimpse into life at HSFKramer.

- A dedicated support network within the firm, including an assigned mentor, partner contact, and trainee buddy.

- A guaranteed spot on our spring or summer vacation scheme in your second year of study (conditional on achieving the required benchmark in first year exams).

- Personalised 1:1 sessions with a qualified career coach from Rare Recruitment.

We also recognise the efforts of runners-up, who may be considered for a place on our spring or summer vacation scheme.

As a scholar, you'll be an integral part of our community:

- You'll join us at our campus events, engaging with fellow students and HSFKramer representatives.

- You'll be invited to attend diversity network events at the firm, connecting with diverse professionals and expanding your network.

The Roger Leyland Memorial Scholarship is more than just financial support; it's an opportunity to gain valuable work experience, build meaningful relationships, and kickstart your legal career. We're excited to welcome you to our community and support you on your journey to becoming an outstanding lawyer.

Eligibility:

The scholarship is open to students from a minority ethnic background interested in a career in commercial law. Applicants should be in their first year of a three-year course or second year of a four-year course. You must be a Rare Recruitment candidate in order to apply.

Application deadline:

Applications close on 29 January 2026 (23.59 GMT). Please note that all applications will be reviewed after the deadline.

Inclusivity:

We value diverse perspectives and embrace difference. We’re proud of our achievements, committed to building on our good work, as well as our awareness of and focus on well-being. You’ll be supported to bring your whole and best self to work in an environment that is not only professional, but also connected and caring. We’re renowned for our culture. We balance being human, bold and outstanding and you’ll find these are more than our values: a lived experience. At the heart of this, you’ll be supported to grow, achieve your ambitions and play a part in helping us achieve the firm’s. So as a graduate, by being ambitious for your growth and ours, we’ll achieve our goals together.

Application deadline:
Thursday, 29 January 2026 at 23:59 (UTC)
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