Solicitor graduate apprenticeship

The firm:

Bolt Burdon Kemp is a leading London law firm representing individuals who have been seriously injured. Through litigation, we help our clients secure the compensation they need to live their best lives, however altered their circumstances. We put our clients at the centre of everything we do and help them fight for justice every step of the way. We are passionate about getting the best results, providing exemplary client care, whilst striving to change the law for the better with every case.

We are committed to making Bolt Burdon Kemp the best place to work for everyone. Our people are not only leading solicitors handling complex and challenging multi-track work, but they are also extraordinary people and we take great care to nurture and support their growth within a learning culture.

The department:

The Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship is a Level 7 programme suitable for applicants who have already completed an LLB Law degree or those who have completed a non-law degree and the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). This pathway is not suitable for those who have already started studying towards or completed their Legal Practice Course (LPC).

If successful, you will complete a 27 month apprenticeship programme, which will include independent study and skills coaching delivered by University of Law towards preparing you for sitting the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations, parts one and two. You will also simultaneously gain your qualifying work experience through working four days a week, while undertaking different seats across our various fee-earning departments from our office in London. One day a week will be allocated towards studying. Upon successfully completing the programme, subject to meeting the requirements of the SRA Character & Suitability test, you will be registered with the SRA as a fully qualified solicitor.

We will pay for your tuition fees and you will be paid a salary (see below) whilst training and gaining your qualification. You will also have the opportunity to attend all other relevant training programmes offered internally by the firm to further your legal knowledge and skills. As part of our induction, we will help you become familiar with our systems and internal procedures.

You will assist with:

• a caseload of complex and challenging multi-track clinical negligence and personal injury claims under close supervision from fee-earners;
• undertaking legal research and marketing campaigns;
• document management and general legal administration duties such as file opening and closure on the case management system, , preparing bundles and providing assistance with court clerking tasks;
• client care and communication, attending client meetings and creating attendance notes;
• maintaining confidentiality of all firm and client documentation, data and information and carrying out all duties in full compliance with our regulatory requirements and internal policies;
• any other reasonable tasks.

You will ideally have:

• a strong interest in progressing your legal career within the fields of personal injury and clinical negligence;
• a commitment to becoming a claimant solicitor;
• a 2.1 degree or higher;
• strong written and verbal communication skills;
• the ability to work with vulnerable clients and deliver excellent client care at all times;
• excellent IT, administrative, research skills and be hard working, energetic and sociable.

Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion:

At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are committed to the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion. Our clients and our staff have diverse histories and backgrounds. All of our staff involved in the recruitment process have completed unconscious bias training. Our recruitment procedures include CV blinding which removes applicants’ personal details such as gender, age, ethnicity details from CVs and retains only academic, work and skills information to mitigate any personal unconscious biases from arising during the selection process.

We recognise that many students may face disadvantages and various challenging circumstances whilst pursuing their academic goals and career aspirations. We strongly encourage applications from those who find the apprenticeship method of gaining qualification while receiving on the job training and earning a salary particularly appealing and beneficial in the context of their background and situation.

We ensure our people feel supported with their career aspirations and are committed to promoting from within; wherever possible we will endeavour to retain our apprentices within the firm.

We hire and promote based on ability alone and take training and support in all areas seriously – from legal know-how, well-being and development, through to management and leadership programmes. We strongly encourage our people to look after their own wellbeing, and empower them to ask for support if required. Our culture is collaborative, supportive, close knit and transparent. We are incredibly proud to lead the field when it comes to flexible working and aspire to have the very best policy in the legal industry. Our people (for many years) have always been able to work when, where and how they like provided that works for everyone.

We like to socialise with one another across a number of events, clubs, employee network groups and regular firm wide meetings. Our working environment is demanding, friendly and very flexible.

Application process:

If you are interested in applying for the solicitor graduate apprenticeship, please complete our online application form and submit your CV and cover letter. The cover letter should clearly outline your motivation for qualifying via the apprenticeship pathway including any personal life work experiences that may be relevant to your application, and how you meet the apprenticeship criteria mentioned above.

Successful applicants will be invited to complete a written assessment and interview in April/May 2022.