Key Points
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, a Magic Circle law firm, has launched interactive “Resilience in Action” workshops for Gen Z students at top UK universities including Bristol, Warwick, Manchester, Exeter, and University College London (UCL).
- The sessions teach techniques to stay calm under pressure, such as “centring” methods for late-day urgent requests, reframing feedback by asking “what can I learn?” instead of “I got it wrong,” and managing stress before tough decisions or client questioning.
- Workshops aim to prepare aspiring lawyers for high-intensity City legal practice, where newly qualified solicitors earn around £150,000 annually in a client-driven culture.
- A Freshfields spokesperson stated: “We support lawyers of the future with skills-focused, interactive workshops that reflect the realities of legal work. Students learn practical reframing techniques to build resilience so they can perform to the best of their ability, maintain perspective and look after their wellbeing as they pursue a career in law.”
- Initiative part of broader trend: Firms like Addleshaw Goddard planning resilience and wellbeing sessions; Clyde & Co overhauling resilience training; US firm Gibson Dunn hired coach for juniors; Mazars and PwC introduced “human skills” schemes post-pandemic.
- Training materials branded “Resilience in Action” seen by Financial News, highlighting scenarios like partner feedback, client queries, and evening urgent work.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer introduces resilience workshops targeting Generation Z law students amid concerns over workplace readiness.
The Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has rolled out a series of resilience training sessions specifically designed for Gen Z students at leading UK universities, aiming to equip them with essential skills for the demanding world of City legal practice. These interactive workshops, branded as “Resilience in Action,” have been hosted at institutions such as the University of Bristol, University of Warwick, University of Manchester, University of Exeter, and University College London. The programme forms part of the firm’s early-talent engagement strategy, offering prospective trainees a realistic preview of life in a high-performing international law firm where newly qualified solicitors command salaries of approximately £150,000 per year.
As reported by Alex McWhirter of Dennis Law News, the workshops emphasise practical techniques for maintaining composure under pressure, including “centring” methods to handle urgent requests arriving late in the day. Participants learn strategies for robust feedback from senior lawyers, reframing criticism by focusing on “what can I learn?” rather than dwelling on errors, particularly when facing major revisions on tight deadlines. The sessions also address staying composed during partner feedback, reducing stress ahead of difficult calls, and responding calmly when clients question legal advice.
What Techniques Do the Workshops Teach?
The resilience training covers a range of scenarios familiar to junior lawyers in high-stakes environments. Techniques include deploying “centring” practices to remain calm when an urgent task lands in the evening, as detailed in training materials reviewed by Financial News. Students are taught to reframe harsh feedback positively, shifting mindset from “I got it wrong” to “what can I learn?,” which is especially useful under deadline pressures requiring substantial changes.
As covered by Legal Cheek, the workshops prepare participants for being questioned by clients on advice and managing stress before tough decisions, fostering emotional awareness and stress-management skills. Freshfields positions these as tools to build a resilient mindset for client-centric legal work. A spokesperson for the firm elaborated to Legal Cheek: “We support lawyers of the future with skills-focused, interactive workshops that reflect the realities of legal work. Students learn practical reframing techniques to build resilience so they can perform to the best of their ability, maintain perspective and look after their wellbeing as they pursue a career in law.”
Which Universities Have Hosted the Sessions?
Freshfields has delivered the workshops at several Russell Group universities across the UK. Confirmed locations include the University of Bristol, University of Warwick, University of Manchester, University of Exeter, and University College London, according to reports from Dennis Law News and Legal Cheek. These sessions target Gen Z aspiring lawyers, providing an early glimpse into the firm’s high-intensity culture.
The initiative reflects Freshfields’ recruitment strategy, as the firm hires around 85 trainee solicitors annually, one of the largest in the City. By engaging students at these top institutions, Freshfields aims to attract talent prepared for its demanding environment.
Why Is Freshfields Targeting Gen Z Specifically?
The programme addresses perceptions that Gen Z recruits require additional support to meet office expectations following pandemic disruptions to education and early work experience. As noted by Alex McWhirter of Dennis Law News, leading law and accounting firms view structured interventions as necessary for younger generations adapting to long hours and client-driven demands. Freshfields’ workshops reflect modern legal practice realities, equipping students with mindset and tools for a client-centric world.
Bloomberg Law’s Wake Up Call highlighted the firm’s efforts as a “wake-up call,” offering insight into City stresses like harsh boss feedback. Similarly, Yahoo News reported the sessions help develop “essential resilience skills” for City challenges. This comes amid British bosses’ concerns over Gen Z’s social and cognitive skills post-pandemic, as mentioned by Adam Mawardi on LinkedIn referencing Financial News materials.
What Is the Broader Industry Trend?
Freshfields is not alone in addressing Gen Z resilience. Addleshaw Goddard plans in-person sessions next month on resilience, wellbeing, business communication, and intergenerational working, per Legal Cheek and Dennis Law News. Clyde & Co is overhauling its programme, expanding on confident conversations and telephone skills after a firm-wide review.
In March, US firm Gibson Dunn advertised for a “professional support lawyer” to coach juniors on long hours and weekend work, sparking City debate. Accountancy giants Mazars and PwC have launched “human skills” schemes covering phone confidence and resilience in fast-paced client scenarios. JD Journal noted Freshfields’ focus on emotional awareness and stress-management as part of this wave.
How Does Freshfields’ Programme Fit into Recruitment?
The resilience workshops integrate into Freshfields’ Aspiring Professionals Programme, which boosts social mobility, confidence, and professional aspirations. By revealing the high-reward, high-pressure environment—£150,000 NQ salary amid client demands—the firm sets realistic expectations. This early engagement helps students perform optimally while prioritising wellbeing.
As the legal sector evolves, such initiatives underscore a holistic approach to talent development. Freshfields champions mental health literacy and leadership training firm-wide.
What Reactions Have Emerged from the Initiative?
Media coverage has framed the workshops as both innovative and indicative of generational challenges. RollOnFriday’s headline “Freshfields rolls out Gen Z resilience training” sparked discussions on law firm preparedness.[ – original query] Above the Law described it as Biglaw hosting “resilience” workshops for tomorrow’s lawyers to handle stress. LinkedIn posts by Adam Mawardi called it a “SCOOP,” linking to Financial News on toughening up Gen Z.
No direct student or partner quotes beyond the spokesperson appear in reports, but the firm emphasises practical benefits for wellbeing and performance.