Beth Brindley, Blacks Solicitors, discusses legal apprenticeships and her experiences. She also discusses why people should look into non-traditional paths to the legal sector.
Many people have a desire to pursue a career in law as a vocational one. However, there are often barriers that can be encountered by traditional routes like university. Legal apprenticeship programs allow for diversity and give people the chance to pursue their dreams career even if they are unable or unwilling to go to university.
As more people are aware of the possibilities, legal apprenticeships are on the rise. According to The Lawyer Portal, there was a 40% increase of apprenticeship opportunities in 2021. There are approximately 2,000 apprenticeships available nationally, across 400 employers. These apprenticeships offer a way to be a lawyer, paralegal or chartered legal executive, without the need to study law at university.
Legal apprenticeships are schemes that combine studying and working. They are both government-backed and employer-designed. A legal apprentice should ultimately be able to qualify in the legal field that interests them most.
What are the legal apprenticeships available?
There are many legal apprenticeships available. Blacks Solicitors offers three types of apprenticeships: Level Three Paralegal (Level Seven Solicitor), Level Seven Solicitor (Level Seven Solicitor), and Graduate Solicitor. The Level Three Paralegal apprenticeship is two years long and requires 96 UCAS points to enter. It takes six years to complete the Level Seven Solicitor apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is open to anyone who has not had any legal education. 128 UCAS points are required to enter the Level Seven Solicitor Apprenticeship. The Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship is available for law students who have completed their PGDL or law degree. It takes 2.5 years to complete.
After realizing that I wanted to be a lawyer, but that the university wasn’t for me, I did a lot more research to find out about the other options available. These options were not widely known at the time. Through BPP University I discovered the route to becoming a solicitor apprentice, which lead me to Blacks Solicitors.
A legal apprentice should ultimately be able to qualify in the legal field that interests them most.
The Level Seven Solicitor Apprenticeship is my first qualification. I also applied when it first became available at Blacks in 2016. This course allowed me to gain valuable experience in different departments, as well as receive payments for my learning.
What are the responsibilities of a legal apprenticeship?
As a legal apprentice, you will spend approximately 80% of your time in the firm, and 20% with the academic provider.
This scheme provides apprentices with a variety of experiences to help them develop their legal skills, commercial awareness, and knowledge in different areas of law. It is important to keep in mind that every apprenticeship will have its own roles and responsibilities.
In September 2016, I was a Solicitor Apprentice. During my apprenticeship, I gained experience in a number of departments before I became a member of the Corporate and Commercial teams. I gained the skills necessary to specialize in commercial contracts. This includes T&Cs and supply contracts. I also have expertise in trade mark and intellectual property registrations.
Why should others consider legal apprenticeships?
If you aren’t sure that university is right for you, there are still many options to pursue your dream job. The apprenticeship route, like many others, offers a great opportunity to learn on the job and leave traditional education.
While learning and academia are essential for a job within the legal sector, the workplace demands a different set of skills that are not taught in our educational system. Apprenticeships combine the best of both the academic and practical worlds.
Six years later, I still have the same qualifications as someone who followed the traditional route. There is no student debt, and I possess a valuable skill set that many university graduates lack.
Apprentices will be able to manage their time between work, study and personal life by working closely with providers such as BPP University or a law firm that puts its people at the center of business decisions. This allows you to experience many of the same things university students do, while still earning a salary.
Important considerations
There are important things to consider when looking for a career change. Research the company you plan to apply to. While apprenticeships offer many benefits and opportunities, they can also be stressful.
An appreciation of its employees will help you to have a healthy work-life balance, and the right support when you need it. A great law firm will do this. It also involves the culture. A culture that encourages employees to get involved in socializing and interacting with one another will make it easier for you to settle into your job.
Anyone who is interested in a legal apprenticeship will benefit greatly from gaining as much experience as they can. I was able to participate in a mock case for a week at my college and went to the local magistrates court during my application process.
It is okay to get involved in the legal world. However, it is not always possible. You can build a strong CV by using social media and networking events. This will show that you are dedicated to the profession you chose. The Blacks Solicitors website has more information about legal apprenticeships.
Beth Brindley, Solicitor
City Point, 29 King Street Leeds, LS12HL, UK
Tel: +44 01133 222809 | +44 07542 684721
Beth Brindleyis an attorney in the Corporate and Commercial department at Black Solicitors. She is responsible for a variety of commercial matters, including the drafting and review of terms and conditions, as well as advising on matters relating to intellectual property and helping with music law matters.
Blacks Solicitorsis an 28-partner law firm that offers a broad range of legal services for private and commercial clients throughout Yorkshire and the UK. Blacks offers advice on commercial and corporate law, leasehold enfranchisement and planning and highways, employment and human resource law, civil and commercial dispute resolution and litigation, residential conveyancing, wills, probate, and family law.