Duo will join SQE creators at January event
The University of Manchester’s Professor Claire McGourlay and Freshfields’ Isabel Parker are the latest speakers to be announced for LegalEdCon North in Manchester.
The duo will join Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) creators Crispin Passmore and Julie Brannan at the day-long 30 January conference, held at The Lowry, Media City, Manchester.
In attendance will be 200 learning & development and human resources professionals from the leading law firms in the North of England, alongside legal academics from universities and law schools across the country.
McGourlay is one of the key figures behind the Manchester Law and Technology Initiative (LaTI), which brings together The University of Manchester’s law and computer science departments with a host of leading law firms and chambers. She will share her reflections on how the SQE-led shake up of legal education is creating opportunities to embed tech training into law degrees and vocational legal courses.
Parker, Freshfields’ chief innovation officer, has played a central role in establishing the magic circle firm’s Manchester office as one of the world’s most forward-thinking legal hubs. She has also been instrumental in the formation of the LaTI, of which Freshfields is a founding member. Attendees can look forward to hearing her take on how Freshfields’ Manchester office will be looking to take advantage of the more flexible pathways offered by the SQE to develop its apprenticeships and training contracts.
McGourlay said:
“Attending LegalEdCon North will give me and opportunity to engage with and discuss important developments with other delegates. I’m really looking forward to sharing our experience and learning from others.”
Parker said:
“As the legal services industry embarks on its own digital transformation, we need to make sure that the next generation of lawyers are equipped for the future. I am excited to share my own insights and learn more about the possibilities from the great line up of speakers at LegalEdCon North.”
The headline sponsors for the Conference are Manchester Law School, BARBRI, The College of Legal Practice, The University of Law and BPP University Law School. Nottingham Law School and LawCare are silver sponsors.
Early Bird tickets for LegalEdCon North can be purchased here.
