The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020

Key questions

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 necessary skills 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 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, from colleagues in your organisation to clients who need one of your legal 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, so 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 (if applicable).

What if I might prefer the traditional route? If you’re reading this guide, you obviously have more than a passing interest in becoming a

Where can I find details of apprenticeship vacancies and how do I apply? Law firms and other employers advertise vacancies on their

legal apprentice. However, it may be that you’re also considering the more traditional pathway into the profession. If so, The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law 2020 – the companion guide to this one – is your first stop for information about the university route to becoming a solicitor or barrister. In addition, LawCareers.Net is also a great place for information about this career path, including news, advice, features and interviews.

own websites and elsewhere, including on LawCareers.Net (www.lawcareers.net). LCN has a comprehensive list of vacancies, which is updated often, so it is worth regularly checking the site for new openings. Vacancies are often advertised at the end of the school year. In terms of more general information about apprenticeships, again, LawCareers.Net is a great first stop, but both the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (www.cilex.org.uk/study/apprenticeships) and the government apprenticeship pages (www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship) are valuable resources.

On LawCareers.Net you’ll find:

A directory of over 1,000 law firms, barristers’ chambers and legal educators

A range of videos

Blog posts from law students

Features providing information and advice about pursuing a legal career

Personalised careers advice via The Oracle

Profiles of lawyers and recruiters

Tips and articles to boost your commercial awareness

The latest legal news

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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If you would like more copies of The Law Apprenticeships Guide 2020 or its companion publication, The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law 2020 , please contact info@lawcareers.net.