Lawyers at Work Events (L@w Events)

What is a Lawyers at Work event?

Lawyers at Work (L@w) is a PD initiative aimed at giving law students and young lawyers direct exposure to the professional environments and working practices of the legal field. The initiative seeks to help participants develop a deeper understanding of how lawyers and other legal professionals carry out their work in practice, while also providing a more realistic overview of the career opportunities available following graduation.

Unlike initiatives that primarily focus on academic learning, Lawyers at Work emphasises practical experience and professional observation. Through direct interaction with legal professionals in their working environment, participants are able to gain insight into the practical application of legal knowledge, the day-to-day organisation of legal work, and the functioning of various professional roles within organisations such as law firms.

Organising a Lawyers at Work event

Organising a successful L@w event requires careful planning, a clear allocation of responsibilities, and effective communication with both partners and participants. 

Choosing an event partner

The first step in organising a Lawyers at Work event is to identify a suitable partner. The choice of partner has a direct impact on the educational value, attractiveness, and overall success of the event, as participants often decide whether to apply based on the organisation involved.

It is therefore important to assess which employers or institutions, regardless of their size, are most relevant to your members. Consider organisations that operate in areas of law that are particularly popular among students, possess a strong professional reputation, and are recognised for their engagement with young professionals, for example through internships or graduate programmes.

On the other hand, it is equally important to assess the partner’s willingness to engage with participants in an interactive manner. While some organisations may prefer to deliver a formal presentation, others may be open to organising workshops, case studies, or informal discussions. The selection of a partner should therefore not be based solely on prestige. 

Choosing a topic

After identifying a potential partner, the next step is to define the topic of the event. In some cases, the topic may naturally derive from the partner’s area of expertise; however, it should always be discussed and agreed upon jointly in order to ensure that it is appropriate for both the organisation and the intended audience.

A well-selected topic should be relevant to law students, closely linked to the partner’s professional practice, and focused on the practical dimensions of legal work rather than on purely theoretical considerations. When the theme reflects the actual daily activities of the partner’s lawyers, the event becomes more authentic and valuable for participants. The range of possible topics is broad and may also reflect current developments within the legal and economic landscape or within ELSA's current topics, such as the topics of the AHRC or the IFP.

Communication with partners

The next step is to establish contact in a professional and concise manner. If you have not previously met the contact person, it will be necessary to initiate the first approach independently. In this initial communication, it is important to briefly introduce yourself, explain your role within ELSA, and clearly present the concept of Lawyers at Work events. As not all organisations may be familiar with ELSA, you should also include a short introduction to the association, its objectives, and its international network of students.

When contacting the organisation by email, it is advisable not only to introduce the idea of the event but also to propose a follow-up discussion, such as a phone call, video meeting, or in-person conversation. This helps to establish a more direct connection and enables both parties to clarify expectations more effectively. Your Local/National Group may already possess promotional materials or brief descriptions of ELSA that can assist you in presenting the association in a professional manner.

During the planning phase, all essential details should be clarified with the partner, including: 

• the date of the event, as well as its starting and ending times; 

• the estimated number of participants; 

• the event format and the topics to be covered

• catering arrangements (where catering is intended to be provided)

• data protection matters in order to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Promoting the event

Effective marketing plays a crucial role in ensuring strong participation. Communication efforts should begin at an early stage in order to provide students with sufficient time to register and organise their attendance. When preparing promotional materials, care should be taken to include clear information regarding the partner organisation, the topic of the event, the date, the location, and the registration procedure. 

Registration and communication with participants

The registration process should be simple and easily accessible. A short, user-friendly registration form is typically sufficient and should request only the information that is strictly necessary for organisational purposes. This may include contact details, level of study, and dietary requirements where catering is to be provided. Maintaining a simple process reduces barriers to participation and enhances the overall participant experience. It must also be ensured that all forms created comply with the GDPR regulations applicable to ELSA forms. In case you need a quick refresher, you can detailed information on data protection here or in the Data Protection Handbook. 

Final preparations should focus on ensuring that participants receive all necessary practical information. This includes the designated meeting point and time, any relevant travel arrangements, and the expected dress code, which is typically business casual unless otherwise specified. To ensure that everybody arrives on time and is properly prepared, participants should receive a reminder shortly before the event, for example via email, and, if suitable, through a group chat used for organisational purposes.

Conducting the event

It should be considered whether the final list of participants ought to be sent to the partner organisation in advance. 

During the event, you need to ensure that the schedule agreed with your partner is adhered to and that all participants maintain a professional atmosphere. This means, in particular, keeping levels of attention and engagement high throughout the entire session.

After concluding the event, it is recommended to offer a small thank you gift to speakers and, where appropriate, to organisational contacts such as HR representatives. This gesture of appreciation helps to maintain a positive and professional relationship with the partner organisation, thereby further enhancing ELSA’s reputation and increasing the likelihood of future cooperation.

Evaluating the event

As a final step, a comprehensive review and evaluation of the project should be carried out. This stage allows the organising team to reflect on successes, identify challenges, and collect valuable insights for future initiatives. 

Feedback should be collected from participants regarding their experience, learning outcomes, and suggestions for improvement, but also from the partner organisation concerning the quality of cooperation, the level of student engagement, and any areas for improvement. In addition, you shoukd analyse what worked well and what could have been handled differently, both in terms of organisation and execution. Finally, the gained insights and recommendations should be documented in order to support the planning of future events.