About Us
Changing the Future of Legal Recruitment by Empowering Different Minds
Cognitive Range was founded in 2026 by Cody Rapson, an autistic undergraduate law student at the University of Aberdeen, graduating in 2027.
Originally from Edinburgh, the organisation was created after experiencing first-hand the gap between the talent of neurodiverse students and the opportunities available to them within the legal profession.
Throughout his academic journey, Cody was consistently told that he had the skills, determination, and potential to become a successful lawyer. His ability to analyse problems, approach challenges creatively, and think differently was recognised by those around him.
However, when entering the legal recruitment process, he encountered a different reality.
Despite having the ability and ambition to succeed, traditional recruitment processes often created barriers that made it difficult to demonstrate his strengths effectively. Application stages, interviews, and assessments frequently rewarded particular communication styles, confidence levels, and ways of presenting information rather than fully capturing an individual’s potential.
This raised an important question…
How many talented individuals are being overlooked because recruitment processes are not designed to recognise different ways of thinking?
After speaking with other neurodiverse students, it became clear that this was not an isolated experience. Many talented individuals shared similar frustrations: they had the ambition and ability to succeed in law but found themselves navigating systems that were not always accessible or designed with their needs in mind.
Cognitive Range was created to close this access gap.
Why Cognitive Range Exists
Cognitive Range exists because talent is not limited to one way of thinking, communicating, or approaching problems.
The legal profession depends on individuals who can analyse complex information, challenge ideas, understand different perspectives, and find innovative solutions.
However, traditional recruitment practices can unintentionally favour a narrow definition of what a successful candidate looks like.
Through conversations with neurodiverse students and professionals, Cognitive Range identified a recurring issue:
Many talented individuals were not being overlooked because they lacked ability.
They were being overlooked because recruitment processes were not recognising their ability.
This issue extends beyond students entering the profession.
Cognitive Range has spoken with successful legal professionals who continue to hide their diagnosis due to concerns about how they may be perceived. Others have shared experiences of being treated differently after disclosing their neurodivergence.
These experiences highlight a wider challenge: many talented professionals still feel pressure to hide an important part of who they are in order to progress.
Research supports these concerns, showing that many neurodivergent individuals experience uncertainty and fear around disclosure during recruitment and employment.
These fears should not exist.
The challenge is not the individual.
The challenge is a lack of understanding.
Cognitive Range was created to change this.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help create a legal profession where individuals are recognised for their ability, potential, and unique perspectives rather than being judged against a single idea of what a successful lawyer should look like.
Cognitive Range aims to challenge unconscious bias within recruitment by improving understanding of neurodiversity and creating practical solutions that allow candidates to demonstrate their strengths.
By educating recruiters, supporting students, and working alongside universities and legal organisations, Cognitive Range aims to make fears surrounding disclosure increasingly unjustified.
No individual should feel they need to hide who they are to achieve their ambitions.
Our Vision for the Legal Profession
Cognitive Range believes the future of law depends on embracing different minds, experiences, and approaches.
The legal profession requires people who can:
- Analyse complex problems.
- Think critically.
- Identify patterns and risks.
- Understand different perspectives.
- Communicate effectively.
- Develop creative solutions.
These skills do not come from one type of person.
When recruitment unintentionally favours one narrow definition of confidence, communication, or professionalism, organisations risk missing out on talented individuals who could bring valuable skills and perspectives.
Cognitive Range’s vision is a legal profession where neurodivergent individuals are not simply accommodated but genuinely valued.
A profession where difference is recognised as a strength.
What We Do
Educating Recruiters and Legal Organisations
Cognitive Range provides resources and training to help organisations better understand:
- Different forms of neurodiversity.
- The strengths associated with different ways of thinking.
- How unconscious bias can influence recruitment decisions.
- How recruitment processes can unintentionally create barriers.
- How meaningful reasonable adjustments can be implemented.
We provide practical guidance and training designed to help recruiters create more accessible recruitment processes.
Supporting Neurodiverse Students
Educating Recruiters and Legal Organisations
Cognitive Range helps students feel confident in their abilities and empowered to advocate for themselves.
Through resources, guidance, and community support, Cognitive Range helps students:
- Understand their strengths.
- Navigate applications and interviews.
- Explore disclosure choices.
- Request reasonable adjustments.
- Develop self-advocacy skills.
- Build confidence in bringing their authentic selves into professional environments.
Nobody should feel that they need to hide who they are in order to succeed.
Students can access support, resources, events, and community through our student platform.
Supporting Families, Universities, and Careers Teams
Cognitive Range provides guidance for those supporting neurodiverse students throughout their journey into legal careers.
This includes helping families, university teams, careers advisers, and mentors understand:
- How recruitment barriers may affect students.
- How to encourage confidence and independence.
- How to support self-advocacy.
- How to help students recognise and communicate their strengths.
Creating a Supportive Community
Cognitive Range aims to create a community where neurodiverse students and professionals can connect, share experiences, and access support.
Many individuals entering competitive professional environments question whether they truly belong.
Cognitive Range exists to help change that.
Different does not mean less capable.
Different means bringing another perspective, another approach, and another way of solving problems.
Our Ambition
Cognitive Range aims to create meaningful change throughout the UK legal sector.
We want to build a future where:
- Students feel confident applying for legal careers.
- Professionals do not feel forced to hide their diagnosis.
- Recruiters understand the value of different ways of thinking.
- Reasonable adjustments are proactive rather than reactive.
- Neurodiverse talent is recognised as an advantage.
- Inclusion is built into recruitment from the beginning.
The legal profession has always relied on individuals who think differently.
Cognitive Range exists to ensure those individuals are recognised, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
Join Us in Closing the Access Gap
Whether you are a student, recruiter, university, legal organisation, or supporter, Cognitive Range welcomes you to be part of creating a more inclusive legal profession.
Together, we can build a future where people do not have to hide who they are to succeed.
A future where different minds are not simply accepted.
They are valued.
Get Involved Today
Students:
Join our community, access resources, and receive support navigating legal recruitment.
Recruiters & Legal Organisations:
Learn how Cognitive Range can support your organisation through training, resources, and partnership.
Universities & Supporters
Access guidance and resources to help neurodiverse students succeed.