Freshfields boosts Gen Z resilience with new city law career training

Freshfields, one of the City of London’s renowned magic circle law firms, has begun offering resilience training to Generation Z students in a bid to prepare them for the high-pressure demands of legal practice in the Square Mile. The initiative includes a series of workshops at prominent British universities, including Bristol, Warwick, and Manchester, designed to help aspiring lawyers develop emotional agility and practical coping mechanisms for workplace stress.

Participants receive guidance on maintaining composure under scrutiny, managing urgent after-hours requests, and reframing feedback from supervisors as learning opportunities rather than personal setbacks. A key feature of the training is the centring technique, introduced for use when pressing demands arise late in the day. In addition, students are encouraged to consider lessons gleaned from criticism, aiming to foster a growth mindset and resilience in the face of tight deadlines and ambitious targets.

The scheme comes as law and accountancy firms across the City respond to concerns regarding the readiness of younger employees. Recent debate has highlighted generational challenges, with reports suggesting some Gen Z professionals struggle with the expectations of City roles, such as working late and at weekends. In March, an American law firm advertised for a professional support lawyer tasked with mentoring junior staff, citing the need for increased support following the disruptions of the Covid pandemic.

Accountancy firms have introduced similar measures. Mazars has launched immersive training experiences to develop confidence during challenging telephone discussions, while PwC has emphasised the teaching of human skills and resilience to graduates who increasingly require structured support to adapt to corporate life.

Freshfields, established in 1716, attributes the introduction of these interactive workshops to a desire to reflect the authentic conditions of City legal work. With newly qualified solicitors at the firm earning £150,000 per annum, competition remains intense and the ability to thrive under pressure is essential. The firm maintains its commitment to preparing the next generation of lawyers for the realities of a demanding professional landscape.