Solicitor Apprenticeship application thread (2019)

Original post by Jonsieee

Hey guys! I am just about to start my Solicitor Apprenticeship in September (v nervous 😬) and wanted to start this thread to help students applying for the Solicitor Apprenticeship this year. I am happy to answer any questions on the process😊

Hi! I'm also looking into this route, I'm 18 and just completed my A Levels. What company have you got an apprenticeship with (if you don't mind sharing) and do you need a background in law before applying? ~ :smile:

Reply 2

OP

Hey 😊 I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say yet (I’ll check), but it’s with one of the big corporate law firms in London. I had two sets of legal work experience on my CV; one at a high street firm and the other at a with an in-house legal team. I didn’t do law at A-level. Realistically, I do believe that the background in law did slightly help me get a position, but I definitely don’t think it was the most important component. Having a background in law merely shows that you have an interest in the subject. However, all your other non-legal extra-curricular activities are much more important as they show that you are driven and have a variety of skills. I wouldn’t stress if you don’t have any legal experience, just talk about your extra-curriculars on your application and how they have provided you with skills that are useful in the legal field. In my experience, the law firms are more likely to choose candidates with loads of extra-curriculars (eg. Gold DofE, Headgirl/boy or on the leadership team, a part-time job, EPQ, clubs and societies) but no legal background over the ones with Legal experience but not much else.

Reply 3

CE01

Wow, thank you for that response! :smile:

wishing you the best of luck. I’m just searching for a degree apprenticeship due to being fresh out of college, but searching is one of the harder parts. The companies either do not offer apprenticeships or the applications have closed for this year. Also, there isn’t tonnes of information about apprenticeships on the internet!

Reply 4

OP

Your welcome and thank you!🙂 applications for the Solicitor Apprenticeship have closed for the 2019 intake, but will probably open between October and Feb (varies between firms) for the Sept 2020 intake. I also had the same problem when researching the route, but I found the following links the most helpful:

https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/legal-apprenticeship-vacancies --> I used this list to look up each firm and see if they offered the Solicitor Apprenticeship that year (a lot easier than randomly looking up firms). I never really used websites such Indeed.co.uk as a lot of firms only advertised their vacancies on their website.

http://www.lex100.com/index.php/apprenticeships --> this website gave me the best and most up-to-date info on both the Paralegal and Solicitor apprenticeships. It also includes interviews from apprentices.

https://www.legal500.com/ --> this website is absolute GOLD when you are researching law firms for your application. It gives you examples of different cases and work from that firm that you can add to the 'why this law firm' section to make you look like you really did your research.

I'd also keep track of any articles on Legal Cheek as they sometimes pop up. Eve Cornell’s video on how she got her training contract really helped me with structuring my answers.

I hope this helps x I just wanna help anyone going through the process as I found it really difficult due to the lack of info and experience with interviews.

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 5

CE01

Ahhhhh I love Eve Cornwell haha! Thank you so so much! :smile:

x

Reply 6

OP

Original post by CE01

Ahhhhh I love Eve Cornwell haha! Thank you so so much! :smile:

x

Same! Your welcome 😊

Reply 7

sophie_chu

8

How are you finding it? :-)

Reply 8

OP

Original post by sophie_chu

How are you finding it? :-)

I haven’t started yet. My uni course starts in a few weeks and then I’ll start working in October

Good luck. :smile:

OP

Original post by CE01

Good luck. :smile:

Thank you! I just started an insta called london.solicitor.apprentice if anyone wants follow it. I’ll post about my experience as an apprentice and tips for applications 😊

Reply 11

Nxfisax

Hi just saw this now I’m thinking of applying to do one in September 2020 but still a bit unsure is it okay if I can pm you some questions I’ll go follow the insta now :smile:

Reply 12

Nxfisax