Meet the Apprentice

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship? 

Having six years of sector-specific experience before qualifying as a solicitor was a big draw. It presented an opportunity to make industry connections and grow a professional network, while earning a wage from an early age. When looking for an apprenticeship, I knew I wanted to work in the City on high-stakes deals, with market leading professionals. I was drawn to Mayer Brown as an international firm, with several highly ranked practice areas.  

What’s a typical day at work like? 

We usually rotate seats every six months; however, I’ve had the opportunity to remain in finance since September 2024, allowing me to build my industry expertise in this area. In my current seat, day-to-day work varies. I undertake a lot of drafting of key documents for our transactions, progress correspondence workstreams with clients and counsel and manage signing and closing processes. I’m not siloed into specific areas of finance, so I've had the privilege of working across various finance sectors. The fast pace means I’ve worked on dozens of deals so far. A common misconception is that transactional work can be one-dimensional but it's a very collaborative process, with lots of client interaction.  

How have you found juggling work with your study days? 

Effective time management is an important skill when you’re juggling work with study. However, I’ve found that the allocated time for studying and the leave that’s granted in advance of exams has been sufficient and allowed me to apply myself fully to work and study.  

What’s the qualification process like? 

In two years, I’ll finish my degree – which is also preparing me for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) – and then undertake the SQE assessments. As you go through each department, you can compare, contrast and consider whether they are areas you’d like to qualify into. I’ve found that apprentices at Mayer Brown are never a spare member of the team – instead, you’re treated like a trainee.  

What’s the most enjoyable aspect of being an apprentice? 

The most rewarding aspect is that nothing feels out of reach. Working at a leading firm like Mayer Brown gives you the confidence and aptitude to make the most of every opportunity. The firm has a reputation in the City for striking a balance between entrepreneurship and meritocracy. I’ve attended client meetings, had a key role in deals, taken autonomy and immersed myself into the work. 

What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship? 

The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year commitment. As such, applicants must research the legal profession to determine whether it’s the right path. When you start, you don’t need to know all the technicalities of black letter law, but having a picture of the required core competencies is useful. I recommend attending insight days and seminars, undertaking work experience and reaching out to apprentices to hear about their experiences. 

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?  

I applied for apprenticeships alongside university because I wanted to keep my options open. Throughout the application process, the apprenticeship route felt like a more secure route as I’d have no student debt and wouldn't have to apply for a training contract further down the line. I also like to learn practically, so working more days than I'm studying is better for me!  

What’s a typical day at work like? 

Every day is different. Our matter support team supports all the legal teams across the business. I’m on a placement with the costs team, who work with the legal teams to prepare documents outlining the costs incurred for hearings, case management conferences, trials and settlements. Through this, I’ve been exposed to most of the firm’s teams and have experienced a variety of work. 

How have you found juggling work with your study days? 

Monday is my study day, which means I can work uninterrupted from Tuesday to Friday. I try to avoid any work emails on Mondays. Sometimes around exams or when it’s busier, I find myself studying after work or on weekends but, generally, the balance is good. It’s important to have good time management as there’ll always be competing demands – you must stay focused and commit to work and study. 

What’s the qualification process like? 

I completed a paralegal apprenticeship first, which was a nice introduction to working without the studying being too intense. I'm now in the second year of my degree with The University of Law. After I finish, I’ll do a two-year training contract and complete the SQE. The process will take about seven years, which isn't much longer than the 'traditional' university route. Plus, there’s no student debt at the end! 

What’s the most enjoyable aspect of being an apprentice? 

I've enjoyed working across multiple areas of law – it's changed my ideas on the areas I find interesting. Plus, the practical experience I’ve gained will help me to decide which team I’d like to qualify into. We also have a supportive team of paralegals and apprentices, and the lawyers at RPC are helpful; people make an effort to provide good work for our apprentice portfolios and respect our study days. 

How has AI impacted the work you do as a solicitor apprentice? 

AI hasn’t had a major impact on my day-to-day work yet, but I’m becoming more aware of it as I develop. The firm is exploring how AI can support everything from legal research to document review and even insurance claims handling, so I know it’ll shape the way we work in future. Even though I haven’t used AI tools directly, I’ve seen the impact – including how the firm is advising clients on regulation, compliance and governance around AI. 

What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?  

My biggest piece of advice would be to research the firm and programme – it's a big commitment and you want to make sure it works for you! Make sure you tailor your application to the firm to help you stand out. Soft skills and a willingness to learn are just as important as legal experience, if not more so. As an apprentice, you're not expected to know everything immediately – you’ll be given lots of training across the programme. Being open-minded and enthusiastic will help you to make a good impression and build connections.