Staffordshire University law students are benefitting from a new collaboration that will help them gain practical knowledge of working with corporate clients.

A new module on the University's Legal Practice Certificate course, called The Corporate Client, has been designed in partnership with Ansons Solicitors.

As well as putting together a module that will help students get a better understanding of working in business law, the collaboration has involved a guest lecture and workshop from the law firm.

Frances Seabridge, senior lecturer in Staffordshire University's Law School, said: “We've got a good link with Ansons, they've taken our students on work experience placements in the past, and this new module helps to develop that partnership. And that will hopefully continue to grow.

“By doing this module the students will be much more marketable, they will be in a much better position to understand and work with corporate clients and they will be able to understand their business needs.”

She added: “The students get a lot from the module and they enjoy it, learning from someone working in corporate law. It's very informative and useful.”

The Cannock and Lichfield based Ansons, which specialises in corporate law, is keen to keep skilled graduates in Staffordshire.

Associate solicitor Neil Jones, who taught on The Corporate Client module, said: “It's great to invest time and money into your local area and, by offering work placements and working with the students, we hope they will continue to work in the county after they complete their degree.

“By working with the University we know what the students are getting through the course and what they can bring to the region. It's great to contribute to that and give the students more than just an overview and more of an insight into what they have got to expect when they graduate.”