Paralegal Review

I spend a lot of my time working on requesting records, dealing with approaching and instructing experts, setting up appointments, attending client meetings, drafting documents such as witness statements and researching. I work alongside all levels in the firm, from other paralegals to partners on different tasks. I also communicate a lot with experts.

I have learnt loads of new skills such as how to draft legal documents such as N265 form or witness statements. I have learnt how to research, identify, approach and instruct experts in a range of specialisms. I have developed my communication style and learnt how to properly engage and sympathise with clients. My time management and scheduling is infinitely better.

I love my job and the work side of my apprenticeship, the company I work for is fantastic and I could not ask for a better workplace. However, my apprenticeship training provider let the side down a bit. A lot of the time I felt I was in the dark about what I was learning and why I was learning it, sometimes even the tutors seemed confused at what the end point was going to look like. I had no idea what to expect for my final exams and this caused me a lot of anxiety towards the end.

My employer was fantastic in allowing me a full day to dedicate to my studies. I felt that the training provider was very unorganised, there was multiple sites for different things and trying to find any previous work was a nightmare. It was very clunky and difficult to get used to. As previously mentioned I felt there wasn't much organisation in terms of prep for the end point as I had no idea what I was going into.

More than I could ever have expected. They are very accommodating of my study day and always willing to help if I am unsure or misunderstanding anything. I have also had a lot of personal challenges throughout my programme that they have supported me through, I would have been lost without such an accommodating and supportive employer.

They are usually on hand if you email however I did have a few instances where my emails were ignored or left for a really long time which wasn't fantastic. Again as I mentioned I felt a lot of this I was going in blind and that nobody else was sure either what was going on.

I think there were some helpful modules on communication and research, these have given me tips to use in my daily work to perform better. The last two modules were helpful too as it allowed me to see where each piece of work fell into on the timeline from beginning to end of a case. The portfolio also allowed me to reflect on how far I had come.

It is overflowing with opportunities and activities to get involved in. I have attended a few in person training and networking events that have led me to meet people in my area of law. There are interest groups you can join for causes like gender equality which have been really friendly.

Yes

Everyone I have come across has been friendly and always willing to help, I love the flexi by choice working policy as it allows me to fit work around my life, there are so many social and networking events to meet new people, I love that there are also volunteering days offered.

Be yourself, the firm prides itself on being personable to clients with it's 'expert hand, human touch' campaign and they want people who fit that and will excel at delivering a friendly service to clients. Do not be afraid of the application process, just believe in yourself! Good luck.