Meet Laura Pratt
Hear from Solicitor Apprentice Laura Pratt about her career journey, experience, and decision to pursue a legal apprenticeship.
Listen to Laura's podcast
Legal apprenticeships
Becoming more
If you're looking for a firm that will invest in your future, you've come to the right place. We're dedicated to supporting diverse talent and enabling our people to pursue their ambitions, whatever they may be. Since the launch of our Legal Apprenticeship Programme in 2015, we've taken pride in nurturing strong cohorts of legal apprentices across our firm's practice areas. Just like everyone else here, our apprentices are trusted to do high quality work to help us reach our goals, and in return, we’re here to cheer you on as you chase your professional dreams. Let’s take a look at how we can become a part of your future.
What's involved?
A Gowling WLG legal apprenticeship offers you the chance to earn a recognised legal qualification while gaining valuable work experience in an international, sector-focused law firm. We've designed our programme to provide you with hands-on experience, the chance to develop your legal skills, and the support of a collaborative team. With us, you’re not just learning; you're growing, thriving, and becoming part of something bigger.
What's in it for you?
Discover the perks that make us stand out and see how we support your success.
Hear from our very own
Take a look at our featured in-news style programme, Apprenticeships: Pathway to Success produced by ITN Business, where we look at the opportunities available, best practice support from employers and key advice from our apprentices across a variety of sectors.
There are many different routes to a careerin law and opting for an apprenticeship is one of them. Gowling WLG is a legal firm that understands the value of apprenticeships as a viable alternative to attending University.
Their programmes offer people an opportunity to earn while you learn gaining professional qualifications and practical experience without the financial burden of significant debt.
Oh that photograph.
Yeah it's me. 2015 to now.
Amazing it's like the evolution of Katie Love.
Katie has changed a lot since she first started her apprenticeship back in 2015 to becoming a solicitor in 2023. Learning while earning and qualifying with no debt has created opportunities beyond work.
When I first started as an apprentice I was very in my shell very shy I mean I always say I couldn't even pick up the phone to clients when they would ring me. Obviously 18 straight from school and as I've progressed in the role I feel like I've developed personally as well I'm much more confident and that's obviously come along with big milestones in my life, getting engaged buying a house all of that been along my apprenticeship route.
Beside her all the way her mum, Emma. A single mum with two daughters the financial benefits of an apprenticeship were a plus but she did have some concerns.
From a parents perspective it can be am I doing right thing are they just going to end up making the tea are they actually going to do the filing and they're not actually going to learn anything. And of course it couldn't be further from the truth you know the balance between the education that she received at University for her degree and the learning part of it they are a perfect marriage that come together.
Katie along with two other apprentices both named Abby are the first solicitor apprentices at Gowling WLG, an international law firm with offices here in Birmingham and London. Supporting them with was Lucy Head of early Talent.
Obviously incredibly proud they all three of them got first class honors law degrees, passed the SQE one and also the SQE 2 and got their results and that's no mean feat you know they're they're tough exams it's not an easier way to qualify it's a different way to qualify.
You've taken someone who is who's 18 who's still maturing and you've you you are almost forcing them to mature very quickly and and develop into someone that is sensible and uses emotional intelligence around the office. That wasn't something that I had to do at 18 while I was still at University and so I certainly don't think it's it's easy.
Gowling WLG has 33 apprentices and takes on 25 University graduates a year.
I'd never want to say that one's better than the other, it's just people want to be able to do different things and some people really value that experience of going and studying and moving out of home and all those good things that go along with that but it's just about having choices.
At the time schools were very much driving towards the university route and I think there is still an element of that now but apprenticeships are now becoming more recognized and I think the feedback I get now when I talk about my route is people going wow I wish I'd thought of that when I first started.
In 2023 students graduating from English universities left with a debt averaging nearly £45,000 and the cost of living crisis has made life even harder.
This is the best part about an apprenticeship you leave with no debt.
Yes, earning while you learn um your salary kind of increases um throughout the years to reflect that you're progressing in a role uh and then on qualification there's no debt because my training has all been paid for.
And for Gowling WLG it improves retention and opens up a new pipeline of talent.
What have the apprentices brought to the company?
In terms of social mobility and access access to law we probably managed to recruit people that might not have seen law as as a career for them.
I think just the legal profession needed to change and be more current and this really widens access to our professions and hopefully makes us like I say more representative of the clients that we look after.
As for Emma she has been Amazed by Katie's evolution, from a shy 18-year-old to a confident lawyer.
I couldn't be proud of of Katie, I mean you just want your children to be happy that's all you want and that's what she is she's happy.
Pathways
Paralegal Apprenticeship (Level 4)
We welcome individuals from diverse backgrounds with limited legal experience. Our two-year Paralegal Apprenticeship is designed to provide you with an introduction to a legal career.
You'll join one of our key practice areas, where you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills and gain valuable exposure. And if that's not enough, you'll receive unwavering support from a supervisor and other colleagues who are experts in their area of law.
During your apprenticeship, you'll begin to study your Law degree (LLB), covering modules such as Client Care, Common Law Method & Ethics, Contract Law, Tort Law, Civil Dispute Resolution and Real Estate.
It doesn't stop there. We're committed to providing a comprehensive learning approach that prepares you for success. Thats why you'll also create a work-based portfolio, demonstrating the key knowledge, skills, and behaviours you've acquired.
Solicitor Apprenticeship (Level 7)
Want to hear from those who’ve walked the walk?
Check out our blog to see what our apprentices have to say about their experience.
Who can apply?
To join our Paralegal Apprenticeship Programme, you must be on track to achieve 96 UCAS points, earned through A-Level or equivalent qualifications. If that sounds like you, we're looking forward to receiving your application.
The important stuff
While we'd love to welcome you right away, your onboarding onto the programme will be dependent on you successfully passing all stages of the process, alongside meeting the eligibility requirements. The stages are:
- Application form
- Online task-based assessment
- Video interview
- Immersive assessment centre
So, you've made the decision to apply with us? Great! Here's all the key information and dates you need to do so.
Our annual recruitment cycle begins with applications opening every February and closing every April. Throughout our selection process, we aim to find individuals who align with our values and are committed to their professional development.
We hold assessment centres in the summer, followed by successful applicants beginning their apprenticeship journey with us in September. Don't worry, we're here to guide you as much as possible.
Let's take the first step and start the application process together.
Get hints and tips to make your application stand out.