Solicitor apprentice Review

As a solicitor apprentice, my day to day work involves drafting, negotiating and completing various real estate documents. Alongside this, I keep on top of attending any training sessions and ensuring I have billed my matters. My daily interactions vary between being with other apprentices, paralegals, associates, partners, clients and their agents.

I have developed not only my legal abilities, and my negotiation skills but also my communication and teamwork skills. On the apprenticeship, I have definitely learnt that these 'soft skills' are just as important as all of the legal knowledge to get the best outcomes for our clients.

Whilst there are inevitably harder days, the apprenticeship is brilliant. The people and the clients that we work with make the programme so enjoyable. Around exam season and coursework deadlines, it is always more challenging but having so many other apprentices to lean on makes it significantly less overwhelming.

The apprenticeship is very well structured, particularly with our employer. We have regular check ins with team leaders and the apprenticeship manager and have so many colleagues to lean on. The structure of rotations is also fantastic. However, the training provider is not particularly well organised and improving this would significantly improve the apprenticeship experience.

The amount of support cannot be faulted, we have a network of Mental Health First Aiders, an excellent Employee Assistance Programme and also very supportive senior teams. Our team leaders and apprenticeship manager are very approachable and it makes challenging times significantly easier.

Whilst support is available, this could definitely be improved. The training provider arranges a call with a coach once each term to discuss portfolio but this is not enough when there is so much content to cover. The lecturers that we have can be very supportive but others are less so and this can be challenging. I do feel that when we raise issues these are taken onboard and actions are being taken to improve the programme.

I definitely think that what we are taught assists with the work I do, particularly modules such as Land Law and Property Practice as I have been in Real Estate seats during my time at the firm. The lecture notes and videos can be excellent points of reference if I find I am stuck on a point.

The social aspect of the firm is fantastic, there is a real sense of camaraderie amongst the apprentices, paralegals and trainees and we often organise events between us. There is also the football team and opportunity to attend events both inside and outside the firm. There is also a number of committees and groups such as the Mental Health Network.

Yes

From the first day, I feel that I have been supported through each seat and as work has progressed I feel that I have been pushed out of my comfort zone but also adequately supported. Further to this, the people that you meet and interact with make the work so enjoyable.

Do your research! It makes a world of difference to your application if you can discuss the kind of work we do, or matters that we may have worked on recently. If you go onto the BCLP website, there is a huge amount of information on the kind of work we do, what our culture is like and what you can expect. Consider how all of this aligns with your values and the work that you might like to be involved in and bring all of that to your interview(s).