At MFMac, we recognise that career paths are not always straightforward. Entering the legal profession can feel uncertain, particularly without connections, experience or a clear understanding of what is involved. Taking part in Social Mobility Day allows us to pause, reflect and take practical steps towards making the profession more accessible.
This year’s campaign encourages individuals and organisations to consider their own journey, what has shaped it and what comes next. For MFMac, that reflection is grounded in the experiences of our people.
Ellie McLauchlan, now a trainee at MFMac, highlights the importance of early access:
“Before my Prime Placement in my final year of school, I had no contacts or experience within the legal industry. I was worried that qualifying as a solicitor would be out of reach for someone who attended my school or lived in my area, as I did not know anyone who had completed the same process.
After being introduced to MFMac by Prime, I gained invaluable contacts within the legal sector and went on to complete a Summer Placement and subsequently secure a traineeship with the firm. This has given me the opportunity to help other students by engaging in Prime Placements and workshops, which is really rewarding.
I am now looking forward to qualifying as a newly qualified solicitor with the Non-Contentious Construction team at MFMac. It has been a real privilege to start and complete my journey with the firm that helped me believe it was possible.”
Ellie’s experience shows how early exposure and the right support can change what feels achievable. It also highlights the ripple effect, where individuals go on to support others taking similar steps.
Social mobility also involves recognising potential beyond traditional routes. Kenechukwu Chukwukelue, now a Legal Administrator at MFMac, shares his experience of entering the profession without a conventional background:
“Before joining MFMac, I found it extremely difficult to enter the legal field because most employers required experience that I simply did not have.
At MFMac, I was given the opportunity to gain that experience. I also know others in my team who joined without a legal background and have been supported to develop their skills. As someone from a diverse background, this meant a great deal to me. It showed that ability and potential can be recognised even without a traditional path.”
KC’s journey was shaped by a moment that challenged expectations:
“After an interview for an internship at Edinburgh Airport, I expected another rejection based on lack of experience. Instead, I received a call offering me the chance to come in and shadow the team. That small act of encouragement made a significant difference. It gave me my first real exposure to the legal field and helped me understand what the profession involves.
That experience became an important stepping stone. It gave me the confidence to apply to MFMac, where I was honest about my goal to learn and develop. Despite not being the typical candidate profile, I was given a chance. Looking back, that initial phone call changed the direction of my career.”
These experiences show how individual decisions, whether offering a placement or recognising potential, can influence long-term outcomes. For organisations, they are a reminder that improving social mobility is not only about strategy but about everyday actions.
For MFMac, this means continuing to build on initiatives that open up access, from placements and school engagement to supporting people at different stages of their careers. It also means asking whether there are barriers that can be addressed and whether opportunities are visible to those who may not traditionally consider a legal career.
There is still more to do across the profession. As KC notes, ongoing progress depends on placing greater value on potential and willingness to learn, alongside experience.
Jenny Dickson, Partner and Chair at MFMac, highlights the importance of working collaboratively to extend that impact:
“I am always delighted when we discover that social mobility matters just as much to our clients as it does to us. That shared commitment and ambition enables us to work together to achieve more. Through our PRIME placement scheme, we have collaborated with SSE plc and the Scottish Government to introduce students to the legal profession and help them see the breadth of opportunities available in both private practice and in-house.
By working alongside clients and others across the profession, we can extend our reach and, ultimately, help improve the profession by ensuring that talented people have access to opportunity and are supported to progress.”
Social Mobility Day is an opportunity to reflect, but also to act. For MFMac, it is a reminder that meaningful progress comes from consistently opening doors and creating opportunities for others.
