Why I chose the Solicitor Apprenticeship route

I am a Solicitor Apprentice in the Family Law team at Ellis Jones. The major benefit, and why I chose the role, is that it allows me to gain practical legal experience whilst working towards qualification. Looking back, choosing the apprenticeship route has been one of the best decisions I have made – it’s given me the opportunity to learn on the job, work alongside experienced solicitors, and develop practical skills from the very beginning of my legal career.

How I got into law

When people think about becoming a solicitor, they often picture the traditional route of attending university, completing legal studies, and then securing a training contract before qualifying.

I had been interested in law since school, although my career initially took a different direction. I began training as a therapeutic counsellor, which helped me develop valuable skills in communication, empathy, and understanding people, but ultimately it wasn’t the career path I wanted to pursue.

I found myself returning to the idea of a career in law but was unsure how best to enter the profession. At the time, I was hesitant about applying to university because I had no experience of working in the legal sector. It felt like a significant commitment to make without first understanding what the role involved on a day-to-day basis.

The opportunity to gain first-hand experience within a law firm really appealed to me. After hearing positive feedback about Ellis Jones, I contacted the firm to ask whether any work experience opportunities were available. I was fortunate to be offered a placement within the Family Law team, where I spent two days a week for approximately one month.

I quickly found myself drawn to the work and enjoyed the fast-paced and varied nature of the role. No two days were the same, and it became clear to me that a career in law was something I genuinely wanted to pursue.

When a Legal Assistant position became available, I decided to apply. Although it felt daunting at first, given that my only legal experience had been the month I spent with the team, it proved to be a fantastic opportunity. Everyone was incredibly supportive and helped me learn the fundamentals of legal practice, develop my skills and build my understanding of family law over the following year.

Discovering the apprenticeship route

As my confidence and experience grew, I began exploring the different routes to qualification. I knew I wanted to continue progressing within the profession and develop my legal knowledge alongside the practical experience I was gaining.

During my research, I discovered the solicitor apprenticeship route. It immediately stood out to me as the perfect combination of practical experience and academic study. It offered the opportunity to continue working, gain valuable hands-on experience, and study towards qualification at the same time. Rather than stepping away from practice to focus solely on academic study, I could develop both practical and legal skills simultaneously – also enabling me to earn whilst working and learning, as opposed to simply incurring student debt.

The firm was very supportive of my ambitions and was keen to introduce solicitor apprenticeships. I began my apprenticeship in September 2025 and am due to complete my first year this month.

So far, I have studied modules including Contract Law and Land Law, both of which have strengthened my understanding of key legal principles and helped me develop skills that I can apply in the workplace. Working within the Family Law team has also made it easier to understand legal concepts by seeing how legal principles operate in practice.

More recently, I completed my legal research project, which further developed my research and analytical skills, both of which are essential in my day-to-day work within family law.

What does a typical week look like?

One of the things I enjoy most about working in family law is that no two weeks are ever the same.

Family law covers a wide range of matters, from divorce and financial remedy proceedings, to child arrangements and Family Law Act applications. As a result, my workload is varied and constantly evolving. A typical week might involve:

• Drafting emails and legal correspondence
• Preparing court documents and hearing bundles
• Attending meetings with clients and colleagues
• Reviewing financial disclosure and supporting documents
• Carrying out legal research
• Liaising with barristers, experts and the courts
• Managing deadlines and progressing client matters

Alongside my day-to-day responsibilities, I dedicate one day each week to my apprenticeship studies. Balancing work and study can be challenging at times, but it has significantly strengthened my organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills.

The reality of being an apprentice

A common misconception about apprenticeships is that apprentices spend most of their time observing. In reality, I have been trusted with meaningful responsibilities from an early stage in my career.

Of course, there is plenty of support available. I work alongside experienced colleagues who are always willing to share their knowledge and guidance. Being able to learn directly from professionals who have years of experience has been invaluable to my development.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the role is that the learning never stops. Every matter presents a new challenge, whether that is understanding a complex legal issue, developing a drafting skill, or learning how best to support a client through a difficult period in their life.

The skills I’ve developed

My apprenticeship has helped me develop a wide range of professional skills (many of which I would not have been able to develop as well in full time academic study), including:

• Effective communication
• Attention to detail
• Organisation and time management
• Legal drafting
• Legal research and analysis
• Professional confidence
• Client care

Why I chose the apprenticeship route

For anyone considering a career in law, I would strongly encourage them to explore the apprenticeship route.

The ability to gain practical experience whilst earning and studying is a fantastic opportunity. From day one you are immersed in the profession, developing workplace skills, building your professional network, and seeing first-hand how the law operates in practice.

It is certainly challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding. The combination of academic learning and practical experience has enabled me to develop skills and confidence far more quickly than I ever expected.

Looking ahead

As I continue my apprenticeship, I am excited to keep learning, developing my skills, and taking on new challenges.

The legal profession is constantly evolving, and every day presents an opportunity to learn something new. Looking back at how much I have developed since joining Ellis Jones, I am proud of how far I have come and grateful for the support I have received along the way.

For anyone considering a career in law, a solicitor apprenticeship offers a fantastic route into the profession. It provides the opportunity to gain real-world experience, earn whilst you learn and work towards qualification whilst building a strong foundation for a successful legal career.

Careers at Ellis Jones

At Ellis Jones, we are committed to supporting the next generation of legal professionals. Visit our Careers section to discover how you could begin your own career journey with us.