Apprentice Paralegal Review

As an apprentice paralegal I assist the solicitors within the team with tasks that help progress their case. This involves drafting letters to clients, experts, Counsel or Courts with updates, requests etc. I also sit in on conferences and witness statement meetings and take detailed notes of everything that happens within the meeting or conference so the solicitor has evidence of what was discussed

I have learnt plenty of new skills such as drafting official Court documents and related correspondence regarding the case. I have also learnt how to request medical records from GP's and Hospitals and how I can request information from Trusts by using a freedom of information act. I have developed existing skills such as my client communications by improving how I speak on the phone or how I write emails and letters.

I really enjoy my programme as it is such an interesting subject of law and gives me lots of experience and opportunities to improve my legal and medical knowledge and grow within my role. I also like how everyday is a different day in that there is lots of different cases going on so always different work to be done to keep the job interesting

The programme within Irwin Mitchell is really well structured and organised in terms of my line manager and the day to day roles I partake in. I feel part of the team and so far have had a really good experience working at Irwin Mitchell. I feel the Damar training could be organised better I am not overly keen on the structure of the apprenticeship and the rigid process of tasks I am expected to complete.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, both my line manager who always gives me lots of feedback in terms of what is going well and how I can improve. I also get support from the wider team in terms of coaching and advise regarding the work I am completing but also in giving me opportunities to get as much experience as possible to benefit myself.

I have received some support but I haven't been doing my apprenticeship for long so I don't know how much support I will receive going forward. I feel like the support could be slightly better in terms of the Damar process is made more complicated than it actually is

I don't feel the qualification has massively helped me so far in terms of my job role. I feel that I have benefitted most from my line manager and the rest of the team in terms of improving my performance in my job role. Again I haven't been with the firm long so this might change.

Yes there is a lot of business development I can get involved with in building relationships with clients and charities. I am currently getting involved in sponsoring of a professional sports teams foundation, and as a massive sports fan this is great for me and something I am really passionate about.

Yes

I think it is a great business to work for, who provide very good training and support for their employees. I also think there are many benefits of working for the firm that in particular I have found to be really useful for me. I think there is also a great opportunity to progress through the business to higher up positions if you so wish.

Make sure you are yourself in your interview. The firm look for people who have character, and the best way to show this is through your natural personality. This also benefits when dealing with clients as a lot of our clients don't like someone false they want someone more genuine