National law firm Weightmans has welcomed its first cohort of apprentice solicitors to its pioneering Apprenticeship Academy, which allows school leavers to qualify as a solicitor and gain a law degree while working, as applications open for its 2022 and 2023 schemes.
The 13 new starters will
gain experience working across each of the firm’s legal departments,
and will also benefit from placement opportunities in key service areas
such as finance, HR and marketing, and Weightmans’ innovation department.
Overall, the programme will last
for six years, and the apprentices will be fully qualified by 2027, obtaining
an LLB in Law and Legal Practice, as well as completing their Solicitor
Qualifying Exams (SQE). Developed in partnership with global education leader
BPP University Law School, the Academy offers school leavers the
opportunity to combine legal expertise with developing commercial,
digital and innovation skills.
Weightmans became the first law
firm in the country to offer level four higher legal
apprenticeships when they became available in 2013, and graduates and
school leavers can now pursue one of three different pathways towards
becoming a solicitor. As well as the full solicitor degree apprenticeship, new
graduates who are yet to complete their LPC can progress straight to
Weightmans’ graduate solicitor apprenticeship, or can continue along
the traditional LPC and training contract route.
The firm already has a strong
track record of supporting apprentices – England’s first higher legal
apprentice, Jordan Coulton, completed his training with the firm and
was recognised as the Higher Apprentice of the Year at the 2018 National
Apprenticeship Awards.
Denise Wright, Graduate
Development Adviser at Weightmans, said: “The future of our profession requires
lawyers that can bring a combination of commercial acumen, outstanding legal
knowledge and innovative thinking to the table. For us, developing alternative
pathways to qualification has always been about giving budding solicitors
the choice to learn in the way that suits them best, so they qualify with the
skills they need to provide the highest quality client experience, embrace
emerging legal technologies, and deliver the best results.
“We’re excited to see how our
first cohort progress, and look forward to supporting their journey
to becoming solicitors over the next six years.”
Charity Lockie, an
apprentice at Weightmans in Liverpool, commented: “I have always wanted to
kickstart my career early, but simultaneously had my heart set on obtaining a
university degree. So, when I saw the Weightmans’ scheme offering
both, and researched the company’s work and values, I knew instantly that there
was no alternative for me.
“Each day comes with new opportunities to network, learn from successful solicitors and undertake extensive training. Despite being an apprentice with no legal background, the team have welcomed me with patience and open arms and are showing me the ropes at a steady yet challenging pace.”
Helen Taylor, HR Director at
Weightmans, added: “We know that people sit at the heart of the firm’s future
success. Our Apprenticeship Academy is a leading example of Weightmans’
commitment to investing in the next generation of legal talent, and to helping
them develop the skills they need to thrive in the law firm of the
future.
Applications for the September
2022 cohort are open from now until 9 December.
