HCR Law announces winners of first Cambridge schools law initiative

The Cambridge office of HCR Law has announced the winners of its first Hewitson Grant, a new initiative to help school students in Cambridge looking to build a career in law.

The new initiative, launched in January, invited Year 12 and Year 13 students from non-fee-paying schools in Cambridge to apply for a £5,000 grant to enable them to study a legal qualification of their choice, alongside offering them work experience with HCR Law during their second or third year of study.

The grant was named in honour of Charles Hewitson and reflects his legacy in Cambridge following the law firm’s merger with Top 50 independent law firm HCR Law in 2021 and its name change from HCR Hewitsons to HCR Law last year.

Eligible Cambridge schools nominated students in Year 12 or Year 13 to apply via a written or video submission. Each school shortlisted two candidates, who were invited to an interview at HCR’s Cambridge office so the panel could select the grant recipient.

All six students received their award from Charles Hewitson, with the High Sheriff, Francis Burkitt, who sat as part of the interview panel also in attendance.

This year’s winner is Hannah Solari of Comberton Village College and Sixth Form, part of the CAM Academy Trust, a group of schools serving Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Natalie Minott, Head of HCR Law’s Cambridge Office, said: “Hannah’s application stood out to our selection panel. In particular, we were really impressed with the initiative she had shown in relation to the Cambridge Children’s hospital and her involvement with the Youth Forum. The calibre of the applicants interviewed was really high and led us to the decision to award five runners grants of £1,000 each. I am excited to see how each of the students moves forwards with their studies.”

The runners up are: Yasmin Kociak-Gomes and Jasmine Jones of Long Road School, Lucy Clark of Chesterton Community College and Jess Taylor and Sofia Olanrewagu of Hills Road Sixth Form College.