Paralegal Review

My role is an apprentice paralegal, I support a team of solicitors and chartered legal executives with daily tasks such as requesting information, creating court bundles, approaching experts, reviewing medical records or doing background research on companies. Work will be delegated to me by more senior colleagues and I essentially lend a helping hand all throughout a legal dispute.

As this is my first ever legal or office job I have acquired many skills in the short time I have worked in this role. I've learnt how to correctly draft letters, professional emails and how to communicate with clients. I've undertaken lots of training particular to my area of law such as seminars and additional reading. There is always an oppurtunity for me to undertake more training.

I find my work challenging and exciting, each day is different and I'm always faced with new tasks that enabled me to learn more about my area of law. Since I started my team have been more than welcoming, I felt like I fit right in and they never left me feeling like a 'newbie'. I am proud to work for my company and the job and apprenticeship has exceeded my expectations tenfold.

The work side of my programme is perfect and I can't fault it one bit; my work and colleagues are all incredible. I find the apprenticeship side can sometimes be a bit hard to keep on top of due to there being multiple websites, links and modules we have to remember to do. There has been a few times I have had to ask other apprentices for help or I've missed a deadline because, for lack of better wording, it feels all over the place.

My manager and everyone else in my team have been nothing but supportive, I never feel like I can't ask for help or support. Whenever I've had any sort of issue I've been guided and supported with genuine intentions. I know who to ask and where to look if I ever need support. Even outside of my team just in the office's other colleagues are helpful.

I think there is a lot of support such as the online forum and having direct access to my tutor however I can sometimes feel like the advice isn't completely strightforward right away. The teacher in the classes I attended was always happy to answer questions and my tutor will always reply to my emails.

I feel there is a lot to learn from my qualification, I got a deeper insight to the court system which is a huge role in my job as well as modules on how to accept criticism and feedback. What I learn on paper allows me to see how each piece of work I complete fits into the civil court system and schedule. I definitely know more about my industry from doing this qualification.

We were told of a few groups and clubs at the induction but I personally haven't joined any. Since starting I have attended a social event with my team which was really nice and we are planning a future one too. My office has also done things such as group sponsored walks.

Yes

Since the second I was offered my job I was made to feel like a member of the team and company as a whole, I enjoy waking up to do this job and I feel fulfilled at the end of each day. I am treated fairly and I see a real potential to grow with Irwin Mitchell.

I'd tell people to really take their time with their application and think about what is driving them to want this job and to be in this industry, but also just to relax a little. Even on my interview day the interviewer was warm and welcoming and made me feel comfortable already.