The U.K.’s corporate legal industry is known for being one of the country’s more exclusive professions, often favoring individuals who have had the privilege of superior education. Broader representation has, however, been a focus in recent years as law firms explore methods to encourage greater social diversity among their ranks. They strive to balance the historical preference for lawyers from Oxbridge and private schools.
Recent practices suggest that there is a noticeable increase in the number of lawyers at partnerships who come from state schools. This change is a definite departure from traditional norms, although the question remains as to whether non-selective state schools are experiencing the same increasing representation. Nonetheless, the current reassessment of selection biases and the subsequent trend toward greater inclusivity in corporate law is a progressive step in the right direction.
For a more detailed perspective, you may wish to read the article “Ranked: How Many UK Corporate Lawyers Went to Grammar School?” from http://www.law.com.