Paralegal Review

Manage own case load of clients, drafting letters/emails, taking/making telephone calls, working with colleagues on matters, drafting Court docs, attending meetings, taking meeting minutes, being responsible for a firm wide project, being involved in property purchases and vehicle purchases, helping clients with day to day matters such as bills etc.

I have massively developed my communication skills as I talk with clients/third parties on a daily basis. My confidence has also improved. My legal knowledge has improved by working within a law firm and using what I learnt in my studying/exams. I have also learnt how to work in a team.

I enjoyed the programme. It was great to learn on the job as this helped me pick up valuable skills and experience. It was nice to apply what I had learned at work to my studying. My team was very supportive. However, towards the end of the programme apprentices were not given the opportunity to progress.

At the beginning, my programme took a while to start but when it did I received good training at work and support. I was given 1 day a week to study and was supported by my employer. I met with a legal assessor and trainer who helped me prepare for my exams.

My line manager was very supportive as well as my team. My line manager helped me with my portfolio and supported me when preparing for exams. CILEx were also supportive and assigned me a LAT who worked with me to prepare for my exams and interview, they were very helpful.

CILEx were helpful when working towards my qualification. I had weekly webinars to learn content and was able to speak to my law teacher outside of these webinars if i had any queries. We were provided with good materials to help us learn. I could also speak to my assigned LAT who was supportive.

My qualification helps me perform better as it is helped me understand the law more clearly and i can apply what i have learnt in the workplace. I know more about my department. I can also use what i do at work when building my portfolio.

Yes, my firm offer many activities such as: fundraising events, sport events, networking events with third parties or with other teams. They also encourage us to get involved in challenges such as bake offs. When i am not working i like to attend the gym and my firm sometimes offer free work out classes/plans.

Yes

Generally, Irwin Mitchell are a good firm to work for. Management are supportive and they offer some good benefits. I would not recommend the firm to someone who is looking for an apprenticeship. When my apprenticeship ended i was given little advice on my next steps which resulted in me securing an apprenticeship elsewhere.

To secure some legal experience/volunteering/charity work experience. To ensure that from the start, your manager is aware of what you would like to do after your apprenticeship so you can work together to achieve this goal. I would have appreciated much more support towards the end of my apprenticeship.