Solicitor Apprentice

Job Title: Solicitor Apprentice

Location: Birmingham / London / Manchester

Apprenticeship level: Level 7Solicitor Apprenticeship

Expected Apprenticeship Duration: 6 years

Potential Start Date: September 2024

Hours of Work: Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm

Typical study leave: 1 day per week

Closing Date for Applications: 11:59 pm on 1st February 2024

Salary: The current starting salary for a Solicitor Apprentice is £22,750 in Birmingham & Manchester and £25,400 in London. The Solicitor Apprentice salary is reviewed annually. Solicitor Apprentices are paid in line with Trainee Solicitors in years 5 & 6 of the programme.

Insight Event

Join the virtual Pinsent Masons Paralegal & Solicitor Apprenticeship Insight Event on Wednesday 17th January 2024 (5pm - 6.15pm) if you would like to learn more about our 2024 Paralegal & Solicitor Apprenticeship programmes, application process hints and tips, and hear directly from our apprentices. This online event is for candidates, as well as parents, guardians, teachers and careers advisors. To register for the event, please visit our website by clicking on the application link.

Job Description

We are seeking to recruit Solicitor Apprentices to join our Birmingham, London and Manchester offices in September 2024. This is a unique opportunity to gain practical experience working on real-life legal projects alongside experienced Solicitors, while also studying towards a fully sponsored LLB degree at the University of Law. In addition to covering the university fees, we will also pay you a salary, which will enable you to ‘earn while you learn’.

As a Solicitor Apprentice, you will join a fast-paced, dynamic working environment where personal resilience and a willingness to learn are key to success. You will gain valuable experience from day 1 and then throughout the apprenticeship. Apprentices can expect to be involved in client meetings, assist Solicitors with legal matters, conduct legal research, draft correspondence and other legal documents. As you progress in your role, you will be introduced to more advanced tasks to help you build a portfolio and work towards the level 7 qualification.

During your apprenticeship you will be supported by a supervisor (who is an experienced Solicitor) as well as a dedicated Early Talent Team. You will also get to join a network of fellow legal apprentices.

You will work as part of a friendly team, enjoying opportunities including sports activities, charity work, and meals out. You will also network with experienced Solicitors and become a valued member of the team. We will partner you with a buddy to help you settle into your new role and studies. The buddy will be one of our current Solicitor apprentices who can share their own experience and help to answer any questions you may have.

You will have the opportunity to spend time in a number of our Practice Groups during the 6-year apprenticeship. In the final two years of the Solicitor Apprenticeship, you will join our Trainee Solicitor seat rotation when you will have four 6-month placements in different departments. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, subject to SRA character and suitability assessment, you will become a qualified Solicitor and have a chance to join our Newly Qualified Solicitor recruitment process.

You will receive full training which will combine on-the-job learning and formal structured sessions to ensure you are fully equipped to succeed in the role. Throughout your programme, you can look forward to:

· Technical training specific to your department.

· Soft skills training, applicable to your apprenticeship and future roles.

· Employability skills training, both at Pinsent Masons and appointed training provider.

· Networking opportunities at training sessions, webinars and social events.

As a part of your apprenticeship, you will study towards a fully sponsored LLB (Hons) in Legal Practice and Skills degree delivered by the University of Law, the largest provider of legal education in the UK. You will spend one day per week studying legal foundation subjects and skills modules and preparing for a range of assessments, including the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). You will also complete weekly tasks and receive regular feedback from your subject tutor, as well as meet with the Skills Coach to support your progress.

This is initially an office-based role, allowing Apprentices to benefit from the experience offered by senior colleagues. Pinsent Masons supports agile working and there may be some opportunities for hybrid working as you progress in your apprenticeship.

Academic Requirements

• Minimum 5 GCSEs (or equivalent qualification), including Maths and English, at grade C or 4 or above.
• Minimum 3 A-Levels at grade B or above, or an equivalent qualification amounting to 120 UCAS points.
• Although we do have minimum academic requirements, we are willing to accept applications from candidates who have mitigating circumstances or feel like they can demonstrate the required qualities and behaviours.

Eligibility

• Graduates or students who have completed more than one year of any degree (including law) are not eligible for the programme as their skills and knowledge exceed the level of this apprenticeship.
• Please note, due to the funding requirements all candidates must have the right to permanently live and work in the UK for the full duration of the apprenticeship.

Skills and Qualities

We are looking for candidates who are highly motivated, driven, and have a genuine passion for law. Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills are essential, as well as good time management and organisational skills. Your enthusiasm and openness to learn and take on new challenges will also be key to your success in this role.

At all stages of the recruitment process, we are looking for candidates to demonstrate the following qualities:

· Focus on detail

· An interest in business

· Intellectual capability

· Openness

· Personal drive

· Personal responsibility

· Positive impact

· Self-organisation

Further information about these qualities and examples of how they can be demonstrated can be found on the Early Talent section of our website - https://www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/graduate/apprentice-programme

Our Benefits

• Join a global, innovative and forward-thinking firm.
• 25 days annual leave entitlement and the opportunity to purchase or roll over 5 days.

· Carers’ leave (up to five paid days’ leave towards caring responsibilities).

• Contributory pension of up to 5%.
• Private healthcare policy.
• Death in service cover (4 x base salary).
• Eligibility to apply for an interest free season ticket loan, an interest free gym membership loan and/or an interest free rental deposit loan.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Access to training and development to refresh or enhance your current skillset.

About Pinsent Masons

Pinsent Masons is a global 100 law firm, with over 3,800 employees operating from 27 locations across Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Middle East. We have a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality legal advice rooted in a deep understanding of the sectors and geographies in which our clients operate.

Our expertise is recognised globally. In recent years we have achieved more tier 1 rankings in The Legal 500 UK guide than any other firm, and been counted among the most innovative law firms in Europe and Asia Pacific by the Financial Times.

The firm has significant international credentials in the global energy, infrastructure, financial services, real estate and technology, science and industry sectors.

We are a Disability Confident and top Stonewall employer, a Valuable 500 member, a founding member of the Mindful Business Charter, signatory of the Race at Work Charter and a proud partner of Neurodiversity in Law. We encourage and value different ideas and styles of thinking. It’s with different perspectives that we’ll find solutions to our clients’ most complex challenges. It’s how we’ll deliver outstanding results today, and tomorrow.

We’re proud to have been placed 18th amongst RateMyApprenticeship Best 100 Employers 2023-2024.

If you have any questions, please email apprenticeships@pinsentmasons.com.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £22,750.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person