51Âþ»­

A new bursary is being offered to aspiring 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) law students, in memory of a senior city lawyer.

National law firm Freeths is offering the financial support for law students at 51Âþ»­ and the University of Leicester in memory of Mukesh Patel, former Managing Partner of Freeths’ Leicester Office.

Mukesh Patel

The bursary will provide local undergraduate law students with an award of £4,000 a year for three years with a focus on the socio-economic backgrounds of students who want to pursue a career in law.

The firm launched the scheme to honour Mr Patel’s legacy and his commitment to diversity and equality within the legal profession and to the local business community.

A respected and popular member of both Freeths and the local legal community, Mr Patel, who was born and went to school in Leicester, led the firm’s Dispute Resolution team in Leicester and subsequently became Managing Partner of the Leicester office in 2014. He died in February this year, aged 54, leaving behind his wife Rita and their two sons.

Lisa Gilligan, Managing Partner of Freeths Leicester, said: “Mukesh was always ready to help, encourage and support students particularly those from less privileged backgrounds.

“We hope that this bursary will not only ensure that we continue to honour his vision and passion but also help to support a pipeline of local law graduates to progress their careers in our region.

“Graduate retention in Leicester is a well-documented challenge and the bursary will help Freeths to play its part in addressing this head on.”

In addition to the financial award, Freeths will also provide the students with a mentor throughout their degree course, a paid summer placement as well as an interview for the Firm’s graduate apprenticeship scheme (subject to qualifying criteria) based in the Leicester office.

Sarah Thomson, Director of Engagement at 51Âþ»­, said:“Mukesh was well known and loved by many at 51Âþ»­ so we are delighted that he will be remembered through this fund which will support students to reach their potential whilst studying at university.

“Scholarships and Bursaries are becoming more essential for more students in the current economic climate to allow them to participate fully in university life. It is fantastic that Freeths are supporting talented students in this way and encouraging them to stay in Leicester to work once they graduate.

“We would like to express our gratitude to them and to Mukesh’s family for this award.”