Dive into Law: How Solicitor Apprenticeship Programmes Unlock a new Career Path

Linklaters’ Solicitor Apprentices, Saheer Syed and Tommy Hugaas, discuss the responsibilities and experiences they’ve gained through their apprenticeship and the benefits of choosing this route over a university degree.

Saheer: How do solicitor apprenticeship programmes work?

The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a six-year programme aimed at school leavers and is an alternative path to qualification instead of doing a full-time degree at university. Apprentices spend their first four years rotating through their firm’s different practice areas, followed by joining the trainee cohort on what resembles a more traditional training contract for the last two (though this exact system can differ from firm to firm). At Linklaters, we spend one day a week in-person attending a workshop at BPP Waterloo, where we study for our LLB law degree, and the remaining four days working in our practice areas.  A great benefit of studying through the apprenticeship is the flexibility to complete revision and preparation for the workshops around your schedule, whether that’s during quieter periods at work, in the evenings or on the weekend.

Saheer: Typical day in the life of an Apprentice

Whilst there definitely isn’t a ‘typical’ day due to the inherently varied nature of commercial law, apprentices are given an exciting amount of responsibility and opportunity, similar to that of trainees, and are able to really get involved in live client matters and cases, such as drafting and reviewing documents, taking minutes on client calls, and ensuring clients are kept up to date on progress. Personally, sitting in our Technology, Media and Telecommunications & Intellectual Property team for my second seat, a specialist corporate practice with a mix of transactional and advisory work, I’ve been able to get involved with contract negotiations for clients, drafting and amending complex agreements, as well as carrying out in depth research and advising some of our high profile social media clients on new updates to legislation and regulations affecting their business, which have all been incredible experiences, especially at such a young age.

Tommy: Why the apprenticeship over a traditional university route?

The apprenticeship itself is a fantastic alternative to the traditional university route. What perhaps attracted me most to the opportunity was my view that it provides almost a fast-track into the profession; one that allows you to gain a significant head start in the legal world through invaluable hands-on experience. Entering the legal career so early allows you to explore a broader range of departments, enabling you to make a well-informed decision about the practice area you wish to qualify in and potentially become a more versatile lawyer! I believe that more students are becoming aware of this clear benefit of these types of programmes, especially to individuals who are confident in their passion for commercial law and view university primarily as a stepping stone. Also, by joining as an apprentice, you are eased into the job, likely more so than a trainee, which I think can allow you to spend more time understanding the work that you are doing and take greater advantage of learning and training opportunities. Additionally, apprentices are provided with an extensive support network – for example, I have a principal (a direct supervisor), a mentor, a buddy, a Sponsoring Partner in my department and the Early Careers Team as points of access to assistance. It is very common, if not standard, for solicitor apprentices across the industry to have designated individuals that they go to when faced with any issues or concerns.

But it’s not all work and no play. As a Solicitor Apprentice, there are plenty of social opportunities, both internal and external, available to us despite the lack of a traditional university experience. Firstly, each department will usually host its own social events for the members of that team, such as Christmas and summer parties. These events can range from a fun evening of bowling to black tie dinners and even trips abroad! Furthermore, large law firms will almost always offer the chance to get involved in different sports clubs and societies. I personally participate weekly in the basketball club; this has been a great way to connect with people across Linklaters (both lawyers and non-lawyers) and other companies in the City, and build relationships which extend beyond a work setting. Last summer, I was lucky enough to play in a corporate tournament at the University of Leeds in which we finished third. Externally, there are multiple apprentice networking events held throughout the year, through which I have been able to develop friendships with like-minded individuals at different firms.

Unlocking a new career path

In short, the solicitor apprenticeship programmes are a fantastic option for those wanting to skip the university route and dive straight into a legal career. With hands-on experience, classroom learning, and lots of support, apprentices get a solid start in law while enjoying everything a law firm has to offer. The programme is all about learning, flexibility, and growth, making it an ideal springboard for anyone looking to pursue a career in law.

By Saheer Syed and Tommy Hugaas, both Linklaters’ Solicitor Apprentices,