A law apprenticeship combines an interesting job and training at a law firm with part-time study. This means hard work, but the rewards are well worth it. Here is a checklist of the skills you will need and what you need to do to get off to a flying start as a legal apprentice. Your legal apprenticeship skills checklist Good written and verbal communication skills. Solicitors, paralegals and legal executives advise people in person, over the phone and in emails and letters, so writing and speaking clearly and with confidence is important. Attention to detail. This is one of the cornerstones of the legal profession, so it is essential that you take a careful and meticulous approach to all the work that you produce as an apprentice, checking and rechecking as you go. Good interpersonal and customer service skills. As an apprentice you will meet a wide range of different people, including colleagues at your law firm and clients who need one of your firm’s services. You will need to be friendly, enthusiastic and professional, even with difficult clients. The ability to work well as part of a team. Solicitors and the other types of lawyer found in law firms rarely work alone. A law firm is one big team divided into smaller teams with different areas of expertise who help each other out. As an apprentice, you will constantly be working closely with others. Being a team player is essential. Strong organisational skills. Apprentices need to stay on top of multiple tasks and be able to prioritise and meet deadlines. They also need to balance their law firm role with studying part time, so it is important to work hard and be organised. A strong academic track record. Law is an intellectually rigorous and demanding profession. Employers will be looking for evidence of both a good brain and a strong work ethic, so work hard at getting the best results you possibly can during your GCSEs and A levels.
A desire to learn. Although a law apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to get straight onto a fulfilling career path after leaving school, the learning has only just begun once you join a law firm as an apprentice. You will be training and studying to become an expert legal professional, so enthusiasm to learn more is a must.
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