Apprentice Chartered Legal Executive Review

I manage a caseload of files that requires ongoing case management from opening the file, legal aid applications, drafting court documentation, meeting clients, conducting meetings, corresponding with the parties to proceedings and attending court hearings. I also manage case finances and maintain contact with the leading solicitor on the file throughout.

I have developed my overal legal knowledge and have developed my own style as a fee earner - I have also been able to pass my knowledge/skillset on to less expereinced members of the team which sets me up well to doing this more often when I qualify into the department

The programme has been challenging at times whilst trying to balance the demands of study. work and home life but overall I have found it rewarding.

The programme was well structured but could have been better explained/planned at the inception so as to give students a better overall understanding as to what was required.

My employer has been very supportive but it has sometimes been a challenge trying to balance the demands of the job with study even with 20% being alloted of the week toward stuy time - sometimes this was not always possible.

The training provider overall was quite helpful. In the initial months I had a few problems with the appointed coach not being very responsive to concerns but after a change in coaching team these issues were ironed out. The training provider didn't have any expertise in my particualr area of law which sometimes proved to be a challenge but overall the resources provided and course content was very good.

The qualification will mean that I can complete my role to the suffiicient standard I have been working toward and will mean that I can now independently run files/advocate for clients in my name. The impact this will have financially (in consideration of my position/salary) will also be signifcant.

There are regular extra curricular activities on offer but this does often depend on location (with more professional networking events taking place in London).

Yes

A law fim that is demanding but rewarding in the scope of the work we are able to work on. There are some drawbacks (e.g. very strict/challenging time recording policies) but the firm do often quite good benefits in recognition of the work completed (flexible working policy is also good).

Be prepared to throw yourself in at the deep end as this will really benefit you long time given the scope of the work the firm offer.