New start-up pairs lawyers and students for free networking sessions

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A new social impact start-up, 30 Minute Chat (3MC), aims to break down barriers for aspiring lawyers trying to get into the legal profession by connecting students and paralegals with high-profile lawyers for one-off 30-minute chats.

Through the 3MC platform, prospective networkers can browse the profiles of over 180 lawyers from a range of law firms and barrister chambers. They can then make a networking request by selecting their available times and answering a series of questions.

Meetings take place via video call. There’s no obligation to follow up, but the lawyer can invite the seeker (ie, the student) to make another request. The seeker can also use the platform to request chats with other lawyers. The platform’s scheduling system removes the issue of trying to find an available time for both parties.

3MC is founded by former City lawyer Anup Mehta, who has previously worked at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and Allen & Overy LLP. As a first-generation university student, Anup recognised the obstacles faced by aspiring lawyers who don’t have immediate access to a legal network.

“I didn’t know anyone and found networking events difficult. Cold messaging didn’t work either,” he explained.

After moving from law into social entrepreneurship, Anup used his experiences of both trying to get into law and working in the legal profession to create 3MC.

“I know as a student that I wanted access to someone relevant. I also know as a lawyer that I wanted to give back. But the access problem as a student – and the busyness problem as a lawyer – makes this difficult. That’s why I’ve designed 3MC to solve this in a way that suits both sides.”

Feedback from 3MC users has emphasised how the platform has enabled them to share their struggles and questions with practising lawyers. “The chats were really encouraging,” explained a paralegal who went on to secure a training contract at Slaughter and May. “It’s probably the most useful resource I’ve had to date.”

Are you a student or paralegal wanting 1:1 insights with a lawyer, or someone to sense check your applications? Find out about 3MC and schedule your first call.

Don’t forget to head to LawCareers.Net’s Meet the Lawyer profiles for a first-hand insight into the work of a lawyer.