Shakespeare Martineau has welcomed its first-ever group of solicitor apprentices, marking a new chapter in the firm’s approach to legal training. The six apprentices—Jess Sutton (construction), Amy Pressley (social housing) and Isabelle Richardson (residential development) in Birmingham, along with Cadie Kearney and Paola Nlemchi (commercial property) in Nottingham—have begun their six-year journey to qualification.
The solicitor apprenticeship scheme offers an alternative route into the profession, combining on-the-job training with academic study. Apprentices spend four days a week working on live client matters, rotating across practice groups, and dedicate one day a week to studying for their LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice and Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is fully funded by the firm.
Managing director Victoria Tester said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome our first-ever solicitor apprentices to the firm and we’re committed to ensuring they receive the very best start to their legal careers. They’re all extremely talented individuals and I have no doubt they’ll each be an asset to their teams.’
The new programme complements Shakespeare Martineau’s broad range of qualification routes, which include training contracts, SQE graduate apprenticeships, self-funded SQE pathways, and CILEx options. The firm places no minimum degree requirement on entry, instead assessing candidates on their potential and suitability. Tester added: ‘We firmly believe in investing in our people to ensure we have the skills and talent necessary to drive the firm’s future organic growth. I look forward to watching them grow and develop as lawyers in their time with us.’
Image caption (L-R): Amy Pressley, Isabelle Richardson, Jessica Sutton, Paola Nlemchi & Cadie Kearney
