DLA Piper launches global social mobility and diversity initiative in New Zealand

Global law firm DLA Piper has partnered with The Prince’s Trust New Zealand to launch Head Start in New Zealand, a global social mobility initiative that aims to tackle the issue of diversity within the legal profession.

In a statement, the firm said that the Head Start programme supports talented young people who “face barriers to entering the legal profession, offering internships, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help them realise their potential.”

In its inaugural year, Head Start NZ has chosen two young women from Auckland Girls' Grammar, Jane Fasavalu and Nancy Vuni. Under the programme, the two will be supported throughout their school and undergraduate study for up to five years and will benefit from tandem mentoring, paid work experience, and goal setting support.   

"At DLA Piper we are committed to levelling up law", said Laura Scampion, partner at DLA Piper. "We are a values-driven firm that is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. This includes social mobility initiatives. Our aim through Head Start NZ is to contribute to greater diversity in the business of law and to make sure we reflect the communities we operate in."

“DLA Piper and The Prince’s Trust share core commonalities: we’re globally connected, values-driven organisations, grounded in our local contexts,” said Anya Satyanand, chief executive officer of The Prince’s Trust NZ. “This has allowed us to work together well on Head Start NZ.”