For anyone wanting to pursue a career in law, aspiring apprentices included, the biggest challenge (second to actually securing landing a place on an apprenticeship) is deciding what law firms you should apply to.
Thinking back to when I was an applicant, the amount and variety of law firms can be overwhelming; law firm practices can range hugely from some real niche practices such as international shipping law, music law, or sports technology law to some much more mainstream practices such as mergers and acquisitions or commercial litigation. Knowing how you fit into this can be really hard.
As an applicant, there is no huge importance in knowing exactly what areas of law you would like to work in but understanding what areas might interest you and how you might be able to demonstrate this interest in your application is paramount. The unfortunate reality of apprenticeships in the legal sector is that they are immensely competitive.
Being able to tailor an application to a particular law firm and match your personal qualities and experience to the USPs of your dream law firm might make a difference in your application. This means that applications cannot be a copy-and-paste job; the recruiter needs to understand why YOU want to work at THEIR law firm, not just any old firm.
For this reason, it is better to take time to craft fewer excellent applications than apply to every law firm with not so much thought about the application. However, to tailor your application to a law firm, you first need to know what type of law firm you want to apply for. This is where I hope to help.
What do you do in a law apprenticeship?
A law apprenticeship offers aspiring lawyers the opportunity to get real world experience outside of a traditional classroom setting. It is an invaluable resource for those who are interested in becoming an attorney, as they are actively learning while also gaining practical skills that they can take with them into the profession. During an apprenticeship, participants will find themselves conducting legal research, drafting documents, and participating in court proceedings. Additionally, many apprenticeships also provide mentorship opportunities with professionals already active in the field of law. This type of learning environment encourages hands-on work with experienced attorneys, giving individuals both the knowledge and confidence necessary to make a success out of their legal career.
Here are some common law apprentice duties:
How to get a law apprenticeship
Pursuing a law apprenticeship is an exciting opportunity to gain invaluable experience and professional contacts within the legal field. Learning how to get a law apprenticeship requires students to be both organized and proactive in researching potential opportunities, being creative in reaching out to potential employers, and preparing ahead of time with materials such as resumes and references. Creating an effective strategy will make your search easier and help you land the perfect position for you. Now, let’s check the process:
1). Research
Before you can even begin to apply for law apprenticeships, you need to do your research. There are a number of different types of law apprenticeships available, so you need to make sure that you know what you’re looking for. Once you have a good understanding of the different types of apprenticeships available, you can start to look for specific programs that interest you.
2). Network
One of the best ways to find a law apprenticeship is to network with people in the legal field. Talk to your family and friends and see if anyone knows of any openings. If you don’t know anyone in the legal field, consider attending legal events or joining relevant online forums and groups. This will give you the opportunity to meet people who work in the field and learn about potential apprenticeship opportunities.
3). Apply
Once you’ve found a few law apprenticeships that you’re interested in, it’s time to start applying. Make sure that you take the time to fill out your application completely and accurately. In addition to your basic contact information, most applications will require you to submit a resume, cover letter, and transcripts. Be sure to follow all instructions carefully and submit your materials by the required deadline.
4). Interview
If your application is selected for an interview, congratulations! This is your chance to show the employer why you’re the best candidate for the position. Be prepared to answer questions about your qualifications, experience, and goals. You may also be asked questions about your thoughts on various legal issues or cases. Practice answering common interview questions ahead of time so that you can be sure to put your best foot forward during the actual interview.
5). Negotiate
If you are offered a law apprenticeship, congratulations! This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door of the legal profession. Before accepting the offer, however, be sure to negotiate terms such as salary, benefits, and job duties. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the terms of your apprenticeship before starting work so that there are no surprises down the road
The Nitty-Gritty
Deciding what law firm you should apply for can be split into two main categories of thought, firstly you need to know what kind of legal apprenticeship would suit you best, and then from that, you can then narrow down the firms that structure their apprenticeship in that kind of way and select the law firms you would like to apply for.
The Apprenticeship
Most commonly, there are two types of legal apprenticeships, and these are the Level 7 Solicitor apprenticeship and the Level 4 Paralegal apprenticeship. The difference between the two is minimal, especially as some law firms such as DWF, Cripps, or Squire Patton Boggs offer the Paralegal apprenticeship first.
It will last two years and results in earning a level 4, and then allow apprentices to progress onto the level 7 Solicitor apprenticeship, which the usual 6-year length can be shortened if you have completed the paralegal apprenticeship first. Most other law firms offer the straight Level 7 Solicitor apprenticeship.
The paralegal apprenticeship route can be better if you aspire to be a career paralegal or might be sure if you want to work as a Solicitor; this route gives you slightly more flexibility and has a much shorter time commitment.
Something really worth thinking about is how the apprenticeship is structured. The question you need to ask yourself here is, "Would you rather spend four years working in one team and then, in your final two years, join the trainee rotation, or would you rather rotate more frequently, such as annual rotations for four years before joining the trainee rotation?"
It will depend on the range of exposure you want to get from your apprenticeship and the type of person you are. There are benefits to both! If you would rather rotate less and become an expert in one particular practice before you move as a trainee, this would mean that you may likely want to qualify in the seat that you spent the most time in and gained the most exposure.
How Will The Apprenticeship Benefit You?
This is good if you're able to sit in the team that you might want to qualify into when you start the apprenticeship, but it does mean that you will have to decide early on what area of law you might want to focus on.
The benefit, therefore, of the more frequent rotation model is that it gives you flexibility in the sense that there is no pressure to know what area of law you might want to qualify into at the end of your apprenticeship, and you can spend time in up to eight departments throughout your apprenticeship.
My personal preference is the latter as I believe gaining a wider range of experience can only be a positive thing, and it mitigates the risk of applying to work in a department (based potentially on a misperception of what that type of lawyer might do before you start your job) and then discovering when you join that, that type of law they practice isn't your cup of tea.
The last thing you might want to consider is the training provider. Although a fairly insignificant point, as ultimately you would be studying the same degree anywhere, there can be small differences in how the different universities teach the degree.
For example, BPP has weekly workshops and the University of Law has less frequent lectures but allows more time for private study. It would be worth reading up on the training providers' website on how they structure the study and decide for yourself which one is best.
The Law Firm
Now having established what kind of apprenticeship would suit you and your learning style, let us consider the type of law you might want to work in. At a basic level, most people know right off the bat what if they would like to work in criminal or commercial law.
Firms such as Kingsley Napely have well-established criminal litigation, and undertaking an apprenticeship at a firm like KN would mean you would get exposure in a completely different way if you worked in a firm with a well-established commercial litigation practice. For example, Stephenson Harwood or Allen and Overy.
Which Law Firm Should You Choose?
If you feel that you are in between the two, you should consider firms like Mishcon de Reya, who do lots of private client work. Firms like Mishcon do both commercial works and also represent some really high-profile individuals in some high-profile court cases- in the words of Miley Cyrus, you can get the best of both worlds.
In any case, undertaking work experience or conducting research would be a good place to start if you're stumped at this stage. After you have decided if you are a commercial or criminal lawyer at heart, deciding the type and size of the firm is the next stage. These things often come hand in hand, as lots of city and magic circle law firms tend to be international, and on the flip side, more niche firms tend to only have one office, so they are often regional.
If you see yourself working in a larger multinational organization, magic circle, American and city law firms are your best bet. If you feel you're better suited to working in a closer-knit organization, local and high-street firms will play more towards this. One thing to consider with the size and caliber of the firm is the clients that a respective firm could attract.
If you aspire to play a role in headline litigation or front-cover M&A deals, opting for a larger firm would provide you with the best opportunity to work on that kind of deal or case. The location is, of course, important. You should select law firms that are a commutable distance from you or are located somewhere you're happy to relocate to.
How Much Salary Can I Expect by Working in a Law Firm?
The location also has a significant weight on salary. Solicitor apprenticeships in London tend to have a starting salary of anywhere between £20,000 - £25,000 and have a qualifying salary at the end of the six-year apprenticeship of anywhere between £80,000 - £110,000. Law firms outside of London tend, on average, to pay around 20% less in locations such as Manchester or Birmingham as they do not have the London weighting.
Salary is not the be-all and end-all by any means, if you're living in London, you're likely spending much more money on living than if you lived in other major cities, for this reason, you might not be left with much more even if you did get paid around 20% more than regional locations.
Conclusion
Having now decided the type of law and the kind of law firm you might want to work in, it's now necessary to understand how your interests match that of the firm. All law firms are different, and even if you decide that you would like to work in a city or magic circle law firm, even though they all mostly have the same major practice groups, each firm also has niche areas in which they excel.
If you have some kind of special interest, if, for example, you're interested in trains, law firms like Linklaters or Stephenson Harwood have established rail practices. If you're able to find a law firm that has a practice in an area you're particularly interested in, you will be able to demonstrate this genuine interest in your application, and it will help you stand out.
FAQs
How much do law Apprentices make in the UK?
Law Apprenticeships in the UK can be incredibly lucrative pathways for those wishing to become solicitors or barristers. Depending on the employer, an Apprentice will typically earn between £16,000 - £18,000 during the first year of their contract, with many employers offering incremental payroll increases throughout the duration of their apprenticeship. Under 19, Law Apprentices, an average, earn £4.81 per hour.
Which type of law makes the most money in the UK?
In the United Kingdom, Commercial law is one type of law that leads to higher incomes, as those working in this area tend to represent large companies and handle transactions related to the buying and selling of goods and services.
Immigration law can also be profitable; lawyers in this field work with individuals who are looking for guidance regarding visas, residency permits, and other issues related to entering the country or becoming a citizen. In addition, tax-related law often yields lucrative salaries due to the highly specialized knowledge required in such cases.
Is a law apprenticeship worth it?
Obtaining a law apprenticeship is an invaluable experience, regardless of the ups and downs that accompany it. One can gain valuable legal concepts and terms knowledge by shadowing more experienced individuals, such as partners at a law firm.
Additionally, it provides students with the necessary first-hand experience for relational skills like problem-solving and communication.
