Solicitor apprentice — Luke Vann

After completing a paralegal apprenticeship, Luke is now working towards a Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship with law firm Horwich Farrelly (HF)

Why did you decide on a career in law?

I'd always enjoyed a level of assessment and critical thinking when I was growing up and had a keen interest in history at school and subsequently an interest in law at college. I had wanted to become a judge, not a small ambition, because I thought I would be good at reading a case or scenario and deciding what the outcome should be.

Why opt for an apprenticeship over other qualification routes?

In school and college I wasn't great at learning by simply being talked at and I found I learnt more efficiently by putting theory into practice. So I opted for an apprenticeship where I would be learning on the job, gaining much needed confidence and having years of experience when I qualified. This is in contrast to university where I would be in lectures week in, week out, without much work experience and learning in a way that didn't suit me.

There's also the added bonus that I'm paid while I’m learning, without building up any student debt.

What did the application process involve?

I scouted around on the government website where they advertised openings for legal assistant and apprenticeship roles. I applied for my job at HF, had a telephone interview with them and was invited to a video interview.

Once my application was accepted, it was very easy to apply for my apprenticeship because it came hand in hand with the job I was applying for. As HF were covering the tuition fees, all I had to do was sign up to the apprenticeship provider (BPP) and provide my details.

Once this was all processed, I had an induction with the apprenticeship provider, which informed me about term starts and expectations.

Tell us about your apprenticeship at HF.

I started the apprenticeship in January 2021 as a paralegal apprentice (Level 3). I then graduated as a paralegal in November 2022 and quickly progressed into the solicitor apprenticeship (Level 7) in January 2023, which I will be on until I hopefully graduate in September 2026. Overall, the length of the course is about six years, split into two years for the paralegal apprenticeship and a further four years for the solicitor apprenticeship.

In terms of structure, I tend to have an afternoon workshop each week on a study day (for me that's Tuesday) where I attend an online lecture after a morning of preparation with notes provided by the university. There are separate modules for each term and these tend to last around 12 weeks, with an exam at the end. The marks you obtain for an exam contribute to an overall grade at the end of the apprenticeship.

Alongside this, there are coursework-type tasks where you have to provide workplace examples to show how you meet a set of competencies set out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

What kind of tasks do you complete on a typical day?

Despite being an apprentice, I am given a lot of responsibility as I manage over 30 live cases. I started out on minor tasks, assisting others on their files before getting my own.

I'm responsible for drafting legal documents and carrying out the kind of investigations that help make a successful case. Every day brings a range of tasks, including:

•  drafting defences
• preparing cases for trial
• speaking to witnesses and obtaining their statements
• negotiating with opposing solicitors
• speaking to clients to provide legal advice.

What do you enjoy about your apprenticeship?

I really enjoy the work element of the apprenticeship. As I mentioned, I much prefer applying my learning in real scenarios, so working has helped me with the learning requirements.

I enjoy working in an office and getting exposure from being around and listening to partners, solicitors and other apprentices. I've not only formed friendships with colleagues but with other apprentices at different firms.

All of this experience has really helped to boost my confidence, both socially and within myself, because I get such satisfaction from the responsibility given to me.

What are the challenges?

While I do have a study day dedicated to attending online lectures at university, I sometimes have to sacrifice weekends or evenings after work to prepare for upcoming exams, coursework deadlines or just to catch up on a lecture if I wasn't able to attend on the day. While this is expected of most students at full-time universities, it can be challenging when I'm working four days a week.

What qualities are important for legal apprentices?

You need to be dedicated and possess a willingness to sacrifice time for your studies. You also have to be organised and good at managing your time.

What are your career ambitions?

My short-term goals are to finish the solicitor apprenticeship and qualify as a solicitor.

Long term, I'd like to progress at HF and eventually become a team leader or mentor. I've always had an interest in explaining and teaching things to people and managing a team would be a step in the right direction to a more senior role, such as a partner.

What advice can you give to other aspiring apprentices?

While it's a benefit of the apprenticeship to be earning a wage while learning and not racking up student debt, the main reason for wanting to pursue an apprenticeship should be because of your learning preference and if you feel prepared to step into working life.

Overall, you have to consider your options and do what suits you. There are many workplaces offering a variety of apprenticeships and you should choose what you think you will enjoy the most.

Find out more

• Read up on law apprenticeships.
• Learn more about the role of a solicitor.
• Discover what the law sector has to offer.