Could you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a solicitor apprentice?
I grew up in a rural village in South Cambridgeshire where I attended a state school before moving on to sixth form, where I started thinking more seriously about what I wanted to do.
At sixth form I attended a few careers fairs where I spoke to some regional firms, although at the time I still thought solicitors mainly dealt with family or criminal law. That exposure encouraged me to look further into the profession. I later signed up for an open day at a magic circle law firm, which really opened my eyes to the breadth of opportunities in commercial law.
While I was at sixth form, I attended several networking events for aspiring solicitor apprentices, which confirmed that an earn-and-learn pathway was right for me. Their support, combined with what I learned at those events, played a significant role in shaping my decision.
How did your parents influence your educational decisions?
Neither of my parents went to university. My dad trained as a tractor mechanic and still works for John Deere, while my mum trained as a nanny and went on to work in education. They both completed apprenticeships themselves, so the idea of hands-on learning was always very natural in our household.
They were incredibly supportive and encouraged me to explore the apprenticeship route rather than feeling like university was the only option. While I was at sixth form, I attended several networking events for aspiring solicitor apprentices, which really confirmed that this pathway was right for me. Seeing their pride in their own careers showed me that there are many ways to build a successful future, and their support gave me the confidence to pursue something a bit different.
What challenges did you face when applying for apprenticeships?
I applied for 29 apprenticeships in total, so it was certainly a demanding period. Trying to juggle applications alongside Year 13 exams and mock exams was incredibly challenging - there were times when I was revising for an exam in the morning and attending an assessment centre in the afternoon. Living a solid two hours outside of London, where most of the opportunities are, added another layer of difficulty. Travelling to open days and interviews was long and expensive (not every firm would re-imburse my travel!). It required a lot of self-belief, but looking back, those challenges made me more determined. It was absolutely worth it in the end.
What made you choose Lewis Silkin?
What really drew me to Lewis Silkin was that it felt like the 'Swiss army knife' of law firms - it combined all the different things I liked about other firms into one place. The firm's ethos of bravery and kindness really resonated with me, and that came across in every interaction I had during the application process.
Another reason was the size of the firm, it was small enough to have a genuine, supportive culture where you're not just a number, but not so big that you get lost. I could see there would be lots of opportunity to get involved and develop myself.
I was also really attracted to the breadth of work. Lewis Silkin works with big brands and has a really strong media and entertainment practice, as well as a leading employment team, but it's also a full-service firm with practice areas in real estate and corporate. That variety appealed to me because I wanted exposure to different types of work.
The firm's approach to social mobility was another big factor. Lewis Silkin himself came from a modest background, so that commitment to opportunity and social mobility runs through the firm's DNA. It felt like a place where someone like me, with no connections in the industry, could genuinely thrive.
How would you describe the culture at LS, and why is social mobility important to you?
It's a very supportive and non-judgemental environment. I genuinely feel that everyone tries to lift each other up and help one another succeed, whether that's partners making time for a quick chat or colleagues offering to help when you're under pressure. That kind of culture matters a lot, especially for people like me who didn't have connections to the legal profession before joining. Social mobility is important because it ensures that talent and hard work are what count, not your background or who you know. Firms like LS recognising that makes a real difference.
How do you balance work, study, and your personal projects?
I'm a big believer in putting everything in my calendar and blocking out dedicated time for each area - whether that's study, work tasks, or content creation. I also focus on 'productising' tasks, which means knowing when something is done. If you can't define when a task is complete, you'll never stop working on it and you'll burn out. You have to accept that not everything can be perfect, and that's okay. I've learned to be realistic about what I can achieve in a day and to protect my downtime so I can recharge properly.
What support is available to apprentices at LS?
There are various layers of support in place, which has been really reassuring. We have HR, of course, who are always available if we have any concerns. We also have monthly meetings with Nick, an amazing partner in our IP team, who oversees our development during apprenticeship programme - those sessions are great for discussing our progress and raising any issues in a supportive setting. On top of that, we have our day-to-day supervisors who guide us through our work and help us develop our skills. And just as importantly, we have each other. The apprentice cohort is close, and we support one another through the challenges of balancing work and study.
Finally, what are your top three tips for someone looking to secure a solicitor apprenticeship but doesn't have any connections to the City?
First, build your commercial awareness. Keep up with current affairs, understand key business issues, and think about how they affect law firms and their clients.
Second, go beyond surface-level research. Don't just rephrase what's on a firm's website. Look into their deals, their strategy, and their culture – and think about why that genuinely appeals to you. Maybe they have a podcast, listen to it and note some things that stood out to you, bring these up in your application or interview. Keep asking yourself, “so what”. For example, LS have won Lawyer of the Year 2025. Okay – so what? Maybe that attracts a higher calibre of clients or that more talented want to join us. So what? What does this mean for you as an apprentice? Perhaps you get to work on higher value deals with more esteemed clients ect. Always link it back to what it means for you as an apprentice.
Third, stay curious. Curiosity shows that you’re genuinely interested in the firm and its business. Ask why things are done in a certain way, whether they could be improved, and how the task fits into the wider matter. Law is often about connecting the dots - so keep linking what you’re doing back to the commercial context.
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