Solicitor Apprenticeship

Watson Farley & Williams LLP; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An international law firm is offering a competitive 6-year Solicitor Apprenticeship in London. This programme involves rotating through various teams while gaining hands-on experience, with tuition fees covered. Apprentices will receive a salary of £26,000 a year, alongside bonuses and comprehensive benefits including private medical and dental insurance. Successful candidates will obtain a law degree and the SQE, matching the qualifications of trainee solicitors.

Benefits

£500 sign-on bonus

25 days’ holiday plus public holidays

Annual interest-free season ticket loan

Private medical insurance

Contribution towards sports club membership

Qualifications

• Applicants must hold specific GCSEs and A Levels.
• Strong communication and organisational skills are essential.
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams.

Responsibilities

• Updating information in the finance system.
• Liaising with fee earners for client information.
• Assisting on compliance projects.
• Undertaking basic legal and business research.
• Drafting documents and providing advice based on legal analysis.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organisation skills

Problem-solving skills

Analytical skills

Team working

Initiative

Education

5 GCSE subjects (grade 5), English Language (grade 6), Mathematics (grade 5)

Any A Level subject (grade A), Any A Level subject (grade B), Any A Level subject (grade B)

Job description

Overview

The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a 6‑year programme. During the first 12 months apprentices rotate between the Compliance and Knowledge teams and subsequently, across various legal fee‑earning teams in London, with an opportunity for overseas secondment. The role supports compliance, knowledge, fee earners and support staff with tasks such as reviewing documentation, drafting, research and liaising with lawyers, staff and clients worldwide.

Key Activities (first 12 months)

• Updating information in the finance system (CMS).
• Liaising with fee earners to obtain client and third‑party information.
• Maintaining registers for agency matters, gifts & hospitality, data protection, PEPs and enhanced risk matters.
• Handling ad‑hoc queries including file reopening requests and background/company checks.
• Administrative tasks related to office opening/closing.
• Ad‑hoc research tasks.
• Information‑barrier maintenance.
• Assisting on compliance projects.
• Annual employee screening.
• Compiling daily Law Reports email alerts.
• Monitoring current awareness alerts.
• Undertaking basic legal and business research.
• Updating records in Information & Research platform.
• Assisting in projects, product trials, and other administrative tasks as required.
• Finding, analysing and assessing documents to extract relevant information.
• Recognising when legal research is needed and using appropriate methods.
• Developing strategies and solutions based on client circumstances.
• Providing advice informed by factual legal analysis.
• Drafting documents from scratch and using precedents.
• Undertaking effective spoken and written advocacy.
• Negotiating client solutions.
• Planning and managing legal cases and transactions.

Qualifications

• GCSE: 5 other GCSE subjects (grade 5), English Language (grade 6), Mathematics (grade 5).
• A Level: Any A Level subject (grade A), Any A Level subject (grade B), Any A Level subject (grade B).
• Communication skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Organisation skills.
• Problem‑solving skills.
• Analytical skills.
• Team working.
• Initiative.

Wage & Benefits

• Wage £26,000 a year.
• £500 sign‑on bonus and yearly salary reviews.
• 25 days’ holiday plus public and bank holidays; holiday buy scheme.
• Annual interest‑free season ticket loan.
• Eye test/glasses, private medical insurance, dental insurance, travel insurance.
• £250 contribution towards a sports club membership.

Additional Information

The programme lasts six years and you will be working across different teams while studying with BPP. You will earn a competitive salary and tuition fees will be covered. At the end of the programme, you will obtain a law degree and the SQE, giving you the same qualifications as our trainee solicitors.

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm advising on complex disputes and transactions through local knowledge and an integrated international network.