Solicitor Apprenticeships created by North East law firms

A new initiative by a consortium of North East law firms to offer a more accessible route into the legal profession has seen the creation of 13 solicitor apprenticeships.

Law firms Bond Dickinson, Muckle LLP, McDaniel & Co. Solicitors, Sintons and QualitySolicitors Smith Roddam joined forces with CILEx Law School and City Law School to create a six-year apprenticeship programme.

The initiative is the first of its kind outside of London, and has been hailed for its unique and innovative approach into opening up the legal profession to young people.

The firms targeted school leavers with the apprenticeship opportunities, which offer the chance to work with one firm for six years without the need to go to university. 13 Apprentices have now been employed by the firms, who were chosen from scores of applicants for the positions.

In addition to their ongoing training and development within their own firm, City Law School will provide law teachers to support apprentices through the six-year programme and the apprentices will be using CILEx Law School’s online learning resources.

Sintons has taken on two apprentices, Leah Greenwell and Nathan Johnson, who were selected by the firm after impressing during the recruitment process.

Mark Quigley, managing partner at Sintons, said: “This apprenticeship programme is new to us as a firm, and for the North East legal sector as a whole, but it is something we have been delighted to help develop.

“It has been pleasing to work in collaboration with other law firms to put together this joint approach to developing talent, opening up a new route into the legal profession and making it accessible to young people who do not want to, or cannot afford, to go to university.

“Both Leah and Nathan impressed us greatly during the recruitment process, and the fact we now have two legal apprentices at Sintons is something we are very proud of. We wish them every success as they begin their Sintons career.”