The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020

Below are some frequently asked questions about legal apprenticeships. If something you want to know is not covered here, email your question to LawCareers.Net’s Oracle at oracle@lawcareers.net for a personalised response. Key questions

How do I know if law is the right career for me? At this early stage, it can be hard to be sure, but you can ask

Haven’t all lawyers been to private schools and Oxbridge? No. Most firms understand the benefits of a representative workforce, which means recruiting the best candidates regardless of background. These days, most have their own diversity policies to ensure that they provide a welcoming and supportive environment for people whatever their gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or socioeconomic background. In fact, legal apprenticeship schemes are one of the ways that firms are trying to attract and recruit a more diverse group of employees.

Do I have to study A-level law to be an apprentice? In short, no. A level is about developing key skills – specialist

What do I need to know about my first day at work? Your first day in any job can be intimidating but don’t worry

yourself some key questions as a start. Do you find legal issues interesting? Are you intrigued by the ways in which the law is part of everyday life? Is there a particular area (eg, crime, the environment or human rights) that has caught your attention? Are you the kind of person who would thrive in a fast-paced legal environment? The best way to really find out whether law is for you is by talking to lawyers and doing some quality work experience within the legal profession.

legal training comes later. Also, very few universities list A-level law as a requirement, even for those wanting to start a law degree, so it is by no means essential. In fact, you can become a lawyer without ever having done a law degree by choosing a non-law undergraduate degree subject and then converting after you graduate. When choosing A-level subjects, bear in mind that most law firms prefer ‘traditional’ subjects such as history, English, the sciences and languages, rather than more modern choices such as media studies and drama. Another point here is the importance of achieving good grades. Try to opt for subjects that you enjoy and excel in to give yourself the best possible chance of passing with flying colours. It is far preferable to get As and Bs in three subjects than it is to get Bs and Cs in four, so don’t give yourself too much to do.

– most firms will have comprehensive induction programmes for new joiners. You may also find yourself starting on the same day as other apprentices, so you there are likely to be others in the same boat. Some firms will also give you a trainee buddy or mentor to help you adjust. Be yourself, ask questions, demonstrate enthusiasm, and pretty soon, you’ll feel right at home. One note on dress code: lawyers are business people and their clients expect them to look the part. While some firms are more relaxed than others, your best bet is to arrive looking very well presented. That doesn’t mean spending a fortune on tailor-made suits, but it does mean arriving on your first day dressed smartly and ready to do the job.

What skills and strengths do you need to be a good lawyer? Several important skills are

Who can become an apprentice? Generally speaking, legal apprenticeships are aimed

needed if you are to be a good lawyer. Many of them are developed during your academic studies, while others become apparent in your working life – the advantage of developing them as an apprentice is that you will be doing both simultaneously. The attributes that most recruiters look for include: intellectual ability (ie, strong grades); motivation; resilience; accuracy; teamwork; leadership; commercial awareness (an interest in the business world); and communication skills. If you have the majority of these, law could be a good option for you!

at students who leave education after completing their GCSEs or A levels, wanting to go straight into a career rather than progress on to university. Most legal apprentices have recently finished secondary education, but apprenticeships are also open to mature candidates (eg, those who have had a previous career).

Should I go to my careers service? Your school careers service is a brilliant resource that you should definitely make use of. They will

be able to help you with application and interview techniques, suggest places to look for information, and maybe even help you to secure informal work experience or shadowing with a law firm.