We don’t believe there's a set path in law - university isn't for everyone, and we appreciate that. Our six-year Solicitor apprenticeship programme offers school leavers with an interest in law an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor.
If you want to kickstart your legal career straight out of secondary education, read on to learn how we can help you unleash your limitless potential.
What we're looking for
When we review applicants, we look for the skills and qualities that'll help them become a successful lawyer. These include:
| High flyer | We look for individuals who're on track for a minimum of AAB (or equivalent) in their A-levels and have a minimum of seven GCSEs at grade 6 or above including Maths and English. |
| Hard worker | Being an apprentice will require you to juggle studying and working. We look for individuals who demonstrate a commitment to both. You'll have to be focused, committed, and ready to stay motivated, even in the face of challenging legal and academic issues. |
| Commercial thinker | We’re defined by the advice we offer to our clients. You’ll need to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of how business works, and how to apply it in real life. |
| Team worker | From internal projects through to supporting clients, communication and teamwork will be at the heart of your role at Taylor Wessing. You’ll need great negotiation skills, and we'll expect you to work collaboratively, supporting and advising your colleagues as required. |
| Forward planner | Balancing a variety of pressing cases and client demands, along with your studies, you’ll need great time management skills and be able to plan for any contingency. |
We use Rare Recruitment's Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) which allows us to consider your achievements in the context in which they were obtained. We understand that not all candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background.
We're also a disability-confident organisation. We ensure all candidates are supported and able to perform at their best throughout our assessment process. If you require support for any reason, including if this relates to a disability or health condition, please do let us know.
Why people choose us
Support
At Taylor Wessing, we’re renowned for the support we provide to clients, and we’re equally proud of the support we offer our people. As an apprentice you’ll join our inclusive culture that allows you to be yourself, with support to help you become who you want to be.
We want to support talent from the outset, so we’ll also offer you support as you transition from school to joining the firm.
We'll pay for your apprenticeship tuition fee (to be studied at University of Law; our chosen training provider) and during your apprenticeship you'll be eligible for our benefits.
Our Early Talent team will maintain regular contact with you from the application stage onwards, so you’re well-supported and connected, from finishing school right through to the start of your apprenticeship.
When you begin your apprenticeship, you’ll be matched with a buddy – an associate – who’ll introduce you to colleagues and help you settle in.
You can also join all our social and sporting events to ensure you’ll be surrounded by new friends at the firm from the outset.
The programme
Our six-year programme has been designed to help you hit the ground running from day one. You'll work towards an LLB (Hons) Law degree and a Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship. Each week you'll spend four days working in a practice area on client cases, with one day studying with our training provider, University of Law (ULaw).
Induction
You'll have a full week's induction which will introduce you to the firm, our IT systems and the basic skills of working as a lawyer.
You'll also have an induction with ULaw to provide you with a full understanding of the course, the requirements and study support available.
Years 1-4
You'll spend each year in a different practice area to experience working with our lawyers. You'll be given a dedicated supervisor and buddy who'll support and help you understand each area of law.
In addition, you'll cover the following with ULaw: Common Law Method and Ethics, Public Law, Law of Contract, Law of Tort, Criminal Law, Critical Approaches in Current Legal Issues, Land Law, Real Estate, Business Law, Equity and Trusts, Access to Justice and Legal Services, Criminal Litigation and Evidence and Civil Dispute Resolution.
Years 5 and 6
Supported by our trainee solicitors you'll rotate through four practice areas, some of which you may've already worked in during your first four years, enabling you to further build your skills and knowledge. You'll be provided with a dedicated supervisor and buddy throughout your final two-year journey. Studying the SQE with ULaw, you'll cover Business Law, Wills & Succession, SQE 1 Preparation, Skills Portfolio, SQE 1 Bootcamp and Examination, SQE Preparation and Examination, and key practice areas.
Qualification
Following successful completion of the six-year Apprenticeship programme training and exams, you'll have earned an LLB (Hons) Law degree and be a qualified solicitor. Our aim is to offer successful lawyers a newly qualified role in a practice area of their choice.
Benefits
We're offering a starting salary of £25,000 to apprentices based in our London office and £22,000 to apprentices based in our Liverpool office. On top of your salary, you'll be entitled to:
- have your Apprenticeship tuition fees paid for
- our Employee Assistance programme
- our In-house GP service
- our Cycle to work scheme
- premium access to Headspace
- our in-house counselling service
- life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover, along with a group personal pension plan
- technology loans
- travel loans
- retail discounts on shopping, travel and cars
- 25 days holiday, with the opportunity to purchase more
- time off for volunteering, moving house and a bonus day every December.
How to find out more
We'll be running an online apprenticeship open evening on 1 February 2024 17:00-19:00.
The session will be run via Teams and will be a great opportunity to speak with the Early Talent team and some of our lawyers to find out more about the firm and our programme.
To receive further details of how to access the session, register your interest online. Registration opens on 1 November 2023 and closes on 28 January 2024.
To attend an online open evening, you need to be in the final year of your A-levels or equivalent. Parents and guardians are welcome to join the sessions (and we encourage them to join too!).
If you are unable to access an online call, please contact a member of the Early Talent team and we will arrange an alternative way to answer your questions.
Online application
You'll be required to submit an online application which details your education history and any work experience you may have undertaken. This does not need to be legal experience. There will also be competency questions for you to complete. Our application window will be open between 1 January and 1 March.
Online assessment
After screening your application, successful applicants will be asked to complete an online verbal reasoning and critical thinking test in March.
Assessment centre
Successful candidates from stages one and two will be invited to attend an assessment centre, which will take place in our office in April. They are designed to be flexible and welcoming, testing your abilities in a friendly environment. During the assessment centre, you will take part in a written commercial exercise, interview, and a presentation.
Offer
After your assessment centre, we'll review your performance and offers will be made in May. If you're unsuccessful, a member of the Early Talent team will arrange a call to provide you with feedback on your performance.
The solicitor apprenticeship route offered a fulfilling and straightforward way to achieve my goal of becoming a solicitor without incurring student debt or having to compete for training contracts. I've always loved learning, and now I'm able to do so in both an academic and practical sense. It's an opportunity that I'll always be grateful for.
Sitting in our Disputes and Investigations practice in my first seat has exposed me to the rigorous litigation procedures that uphold our legal system. It's a very exciting practice to be in, and the work I do genuinely varies from day to day; from serving documents across London to attending hearings at the Royal Courts of Justice. I've already been involved in high-profile cases in my first few months at the firm, and taking on so much responsibility has enabled me to learn a lot within a short time period.
I'm looking forward to experiencing a range of other departments throughout the rest of my apprenticeship, which will play a crucial role in my overall development. I'm also enjoying the LLB course with the University of Law, which I study for one day a week. This helps me to understand the legal theories behind some of the work I do in D&I.
I initially chose Taylor Wessing because of its reputation for being an innovative and forward-thinking international law firm; its range of interesting clients highlight the firm's global prestige. Many have also praised Taylor Wessing for its warm and friendly culture, which is certainly something I can attest to. Everyone is so approachable, and the numerous social events on offer have helped me to feel very welcome and comfortable at the firm.
Meshah Kuevi
When considering routes into law, applying for a solicitor apprentice role seemed to be the perfect option for me. The combination of on-the-job experience and classroom learning is invaluable and has meant that I've been able to pick up complex concepts quickly.
For me, this was the appeal of becoming a solicitor apprentice. Over the next six years I'll be able to gain a deep understanding of a variety of practice areas, bringing the work that I do at university to life.
When researching apprenticeship programmes, Taylor Wessing immediately stood out. I was attracted to the firm's leading reputation in interesting sectors and its international presence, which would let me gain a wide variety of experience. I'm currently sitting in our Real Estate practice and have been able to work with clients who regularly feature on national news. This has allowed me to gain a real understanding of just how important the work that the firm partakes in is.
The culture of the firm is what makes it stand out from others. Taylor Wessing is an extremely enjoyable place to work; having only worked at the firm for two months, I already feel that I'm a member of a large community of individuals, who all want nothing but for you to succeed.
Daisy Parker
Talent knows no distinction
We want to recruit the best people, so we're working to ensure talented students and graduates from every background can access opportunities with us.
Read more about our initiativesEarly Talent team
Our Early Talent recruitment team is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and efficient recruitment process for all our graduates. If you have any questions about the Summer Vacation Scheme or becoming a graduate at Taylor Wessing, please contact a member of the team or email us.