Paralegal Apprentice (Second Year) Review

We undertake four, six month long seats within either the key four areas of practice, the Scottish team or the Innovation and Legal Technology department. I work alongside Fee Earners from the division. This involves assisting them with deals i.e. Creating Ancillary documents, Transaction Bibles, Reviewing contracts, running redlines and assisting on completions. Typically, i am working on a range of projects and interacting with senior members of the team frequently.

From working on deals, I have learnt about deal etiquette, communication for the purposes of business, legal terminology and legal processes. From doing the apprenticeship, I've had the opportunity to improve my confidence massively. Improve communication both internally and externally. Undertaking varying complexities of work has ensured that my attention to detail has improved and my skills with legal technology too.

I do really quite enjoy the apprenticeship. In my first year, i felt like the work was of a lower level (still just as important) but i found that i wanted the opportunity to improve on complex work and be treated just the same as Paralegals. I found that this all came true in my second seat where i actively worked on several deals. I really enjoyed this and it put University work and training into perspective. Now i am into my second year, the work has really stepped up complexity wise and i am challenging myself (which is what i need to develop). Over all, i think i have really enjoyed so far!

The programme is well structured. We get one day a week as our study day, it does not change and the whole team is understanding that you have other commitments and will work around this. Going into my second year, we had an introduction programme to what we can expect in our second year, their expectations of us and next steps to consider.

We receive support a lot with the work side and there are regular catch ups with Managers. If there is something you particularly want to gain experience in, there is the expectation that you will ask and take charge of how you want to progress and skills you want to gain. I feel there could be greater support and interest in the University side. At the moment, there are not any regular meetings to discuss this or discuss progress with this aspect of it.

Only in going into my second year did i receive a portfolio coach who could help us find relevant work examples. In the end, it is your portfolio that counts. For me, i am on my third coach due to two previously not helping or leaving unannounced. Much like any University, it is self study and they expect you to just get on with it. You have to be organised and very independent. Now that i have the support, it is very helpful and is a big help for working towards my End point assessment.

I will be honest, they do not help massively. There have been a few occasions where i have learnt something from Uni and it has come useful at work. For example, learning about contract law and then having the knowledge to really understand contracts when reviewing. I think you learn more from the work side of it and Uni is more the place where you link Work to Uni (as opposed to linking Uni to work)

There is loads to get involved with! There are many wider contribution groups that range from Mental health/well-being, Identity, Ability forum to Muslim connect, Social eyes (Managing the social accounts) and more. You can also volunteer for legal access week, law panels, running mock interviews at high schools and reading to young children.

Yes

I would recommend for the Apprenticeship as i have had a really good experience so far. I think it has supplied me with a plethora of skills over going to Uni alone. I have had the opportunity to develop both as an individual and a professional. The level of work i have undertaken has increased in complexity and it has been exactly what i signed up for!

Rave about your individuality and what make you you! AG are strongly about being the best you can be and want to celebrate you as an individual. Expect hard work and if you really want to achieve, it will be in your hands to do so. If you have the right attitude and motivation, you can go a long way.