Trainee Solicitor Apprentice Review

My day-to-day role includes running my own matters such as leasing matters, wayleaves, rent review memorandums, various licences and much more. I also assist associates on more complex leasing matters, along with disposals, acquisitions and any post completion tasks such as SDLT and lease registrations. I am currently in the disputes team which involves drafting notices and reviewing notices.

Since starting my apprenticeship, I have developed my communication skills with colleagues and external people such as clients, the court and colleagues in other offices. I have also learnt the skill of time management as we have to balance our time between work and studying, alongside our social life outside of work.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this programme and continue to do so. It has been a great alternative to the usually university route as the experience aspect has been invaluable and has prepared me for my career in law. I have also enjoyed the networking aspect both internally with other apprentices and with external apprentices.

My programme at BCLP is very well organised. From the first year of beginning the apprenticeship, we are included in rotations into different seats for the duration of our apprenticeship, in order to gain experience in each area in the Manchester office. There are also many opportunities to visit the London office during your apprenticeship.

I receive maximum support from my employer. I have monthly catch ups with my apprenticeship manager, and also catch ups with my supervisor in each team that I am in. We are constantly gaining feedback from colleagues on our performance, which is both positive and constructive. This is essential during an apprenticeship.

I receive ample support from my training provider throughout my apprenticeship. I had regular catch ups with my apprenticeship manager at university quite regularly when I first joined, however they have dwindled down. We receive update emails from the apprenticeship lead, however they can often be quite late/out of date.

I feel as though the qualification through my training provider helps me perform better in my role as we quite often have skills days, whereby the skills learnt can be applied to my every day role. The topics we study also help as they are part of the Law and Practice degree, which feels very relevant to our day to day work.

There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in at BCLP. We have a football team that the males are currently running in the office. We have, in the past, had a netball team and cricket team. We also have many after work socials, such as a drinks trolley, summer and Christmas parties and lots of quiz days/nights.

Yes

I would recommend Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner to a friend as the company has been a huge support whilst I have been studying to become a solicitor. Their training programme is well organised and colleagues have been extremely supportive of the apprenticeship scheme. We have a good group of apprentices who all support one another and are great friends.

The tips and/or advice I would give when applying to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is to research the firm extensively, and come with knowledge of our clients and our work. I would reach out to apprentices/paralegals already working at BCLP for any help and advice on applying to the firm.