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Empowering tomorrow’s legal minds: Early career support and apprenticeships

Written by: Rakesh Punj, Regional Account Manager
Published on: 20 Feb 2024

early career opportunities

Navigating a legal career path can be a daunting journey, especially in the early stages of one's professional development. Recognising the importance of providing robust support and guidance to budding legal minds, various institutions and organisations have initiatives aimed at nurturing aspiring legal professionals.

These multifaceted programs and resources play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectories of early-career lawyers, offering invaluable support and mentorship as they embark on their legal journeys. In this piece, we delve into some of the support and opportunities available to emerging legal talent.

Support for students in secondary school, sixth form and beyond:


PRIME

PRIME is an alliance of law firms across the UK and Republic of Ireland, determined to improve access to the legal profession through work experience, and to increase socio-economic diversity throughout the sector.

For information on eligibility criteria and how to apply for work experience through PRIME, or if you are law firm or inhouse legal team that wants to find out how to be involved, visit PRIME's website.
 

Pathways to Law

Pathways to Law is a two-year programme, starting in year 12, that offers the opportunity to explore what entering the legal profession might look like.

Pathways to Law students will:

  • gain access to Sutton Trust support online,
  • have the opportunity to apply for work experience placements,
  • attend university events,
  • get an undergraduate mentor,
  • attend a summer school,
  • have access to the Pathways alumni network.

Find out more about Pathways to Law
 

The Brokerage 

The Brokerage supports disadvantaged young people in learning about professional careers in the city, including law.

It aims to help students develop their soft skills and learn about the recruitment methods companies use. Students are able to register with the Brokerage for work experience and internship opportunities.

Learn more about The Brokerage

 

Career support for undergraduate and postgraduate students:


Aspiring Solicitors

Aspiring Solicitors works with law firms and legal teams to provide events, mentoring, competitions, employability assistance and access to the legal profession to students from underrepresented groups.

Find out more about Aspiring Solicitors


The British Inter University Commercial Awareness Competition

The British Inter University Commercial Awareness Competition (BIUCAC) is a national competition seeking to highlight legal commercial awareness. BIUCAC is now open for applications from law undergraduates at non-Russell Group universities.

For details on how to join, how to prepare and information about how the competition is structured, visit the website.


The 93% Club

The 93% Club provides students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the opportunity to take part in workshops, seminars, social events and activities that are geared towards equipping them with the necessary skills to become serious competitors in the job market.

For information on upcoming events, visit the website

 

City Solicitors Horizons – SEO London

Each year, City Solicitors Horizons selects 50 first-year university students either studying law or committed to pursuing a career in law, to take part in a three-year support programme alongside their undergraduate degrees.

This includes classroom and one-to-one training sessions focussed on:

  • legal career paths
  • mentoring from solicitors at leading sponsor firms
  • work experience placements

Find out more about City Solicitors Horizons

 

Legal sector apprenticeships:


It’s now possible to get a legal qualification by completing a trailblazer apprenticeship, or graduate apprenticeship. These are alternatives to the traditional route to qualification.  

You can complete an apprenticeship to qualify as a:

  • solicitor,
  • paralegal,
  • probate technician,
  • chartered legal executive.

 

Solicitor apprenticeships and what it involves

The solicitor apprenticeship is an ideal opportunity if you're looking for an alternative to university or seeking a change in career.

It will last from five to six years. However, any previous legal training you’ve done might reduce this time.   

As well as training, day-to-day work might include: 

  • finding information and files in the data room 
  • researching cases 
  • working with clients

You can find more information on the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) website and the government’s apprenticeship website.   

Find out more about solicitor apprenticeships here:

 

Explore our Trainee and Graduate Jobs here: Trainee and graduate jobs (lawgazette.co.uk).

 

Resources:

Becoming a solicitor | The Law Society

#10000BlackInterns: Law Society welcomes new interns | The Law Society

Funding and support during your studies: internships, scholarships and sponsors | The Law Society

Learning | The Law Society

The Lawyer Portal

Study the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ)

Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) | The Law Society

Training contract search – LawCareers.Net

Funding postgraduate study – Prospects