Solicitor degree apprenticeships

For areas of law such as criminal law, medical negligence and family law is there many solicitor degree apprenticeships. For areas such as corporate and commercial there seem to be so many options for degree apprenticeships but I rarely see any for any other types of law. Does anyone know any apprenticeships for the other types of law? Also if I did an apprenticeship at a solicitor firm would I do all types of law (that the firm offers as they often have a select few they specialise in) or would I apply to a specific type of law. If I changed my mind of what type of law I wanted to do but the firm offered other specialisations, would I be able to change speciality in my solicitor degree apprenticeship.

Reply 1

k3zyumyum

Hi!
I can help answer this as someone who is currently applying. The role of a solicitor apprentice doesn't limit you to one particular type of law -- but this is of course dependant on what type of services the law firm you are applying to offers. Most will generally have a rotation of 'seats' this just means the type of law team you practice with whilst you are there. For example: I may spend the first 4 months of the apprenticeship in Commercial and the rotate to Real Estate etc...
Bearing in mind the Solicitor Apprenticeship programme is 6 years, there will be a chance to experience the different type of law that a firm practices. It's at the end of the programme however that you choose what to specialise in, in terms of changing your mind once you've chosen your specialty I'm not sure what happens or how you'd go about that.
I hope my answer helps - feel free to message me if you need any more help.

Reply 2

Bookworm784

Research all the law firms as some are a bit more specific in their specialist areas, so find them and apply specifically to those ones only, ensuring your application is really targeted to them and what appeals to you about them and their specialism.
i.e. Fenchurch Law = insurance disputes.

Most firms are happy to put you in an area of law that you prefer once you have a bit of experience under your belt and definitely once qualified they would look to offer you a position where you are best suited.