National Apprenticeship Week: Meet our apprentices!
National Apprenticeship Week, from 10 to 16 February, is a time to recognise the vital role apprenticeships play in developing a skilled workforce, bridging the gap between education and employment.
This year, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our talented apprentices from across the firm. We asked each of our apprentices a series of questions about their experiences and to share some helpful tips and tricks for anybody considering applying for an apprenticeship in the future.
Graduate solicitor apprentices
We launched our 30 month graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme in September 2022. Our latest cohort are six months into their first year, whilst our very first cohort are just weeks away from completing their programmes and qualifying as solicitors.
Click each name below to expand their Q&As and find out what they have to say about their experiences.
Jemima Webber – September 2022
- Which team do you work with?
Employment, previously also completed seats in Real Estate, HCL and Corporate and Commercial. - What does your typical workday look like?
Begin each day by updating/creating a to-do list for the day, starting with any urgent/priority tasks. Check in with supervisor regularly to see if anything urgent she needs help with and also to keep her updated as to my workload. Each day then varies depending on which file I’m working on – from drafting instructions to counsel, creating bundles, drafting responses to claims and preparing for preliminary hearings by drafting an agenda and list of issues. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
Experiencing different departments and areas of law and getting to work with lots of experienced lawyers who have been very supportive and taught me a lot over the last two years. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
Balancing work and study whilst also leaving some down time for myself. - What’s one thing you’ve learned about working in a law firm that surprised you?
The overlap between lots of departments/areas of law, such as between employment and corporate and commercial. Also the willingness of everyone to give up their time to help and explain things you don’t understand. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
To qualify with Hempsons and continue to develop my skills and knowledge alongside my peers. I would also like to continue contributing to giving tips and knowledge to incoming apprentices as it can be a daunting and challenging experience. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
To take every opportunity given to you by your colleagues and supervisors, but also at the same time being mindful of managing your time effectively and ensuring you leave breaks in your timetable to relax and have some downtime as this is key to your performance in work and also your health and wellbeing.
Henrieta Ding – September 2022
- Which team do you work with?
I am currently working with the Health Care Litigation Team. - What does your typical workday look like?
I usually check my emails first thing in the morning to see if anything urgent needs to be done that day. I then refer to my case list and try to do some work on each case to progress it. This can involve finding new experts to instruct or chasing them if their reports are overdue, obtaining factual evidence from clients, writing reports, or reviewing medical records. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
My favourite part of my role is writing reports for clients. After collecting factual and expert evidence for weeks, I get to sit down for a few hours and focus on putting all the pieces of puzzle together. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
This is quite specific for my role in HCL, but reading reports from medical experts can be very challenging. While some reports can be quite straightforward, such as those involving fractures, others, like neurology or oncology reports, can take much longer to read and fully understand. - What’s one thing you’ve learned about working in a law firm that surprised you?
Everyone makes a mistake now and then, and it is not the end of the world. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
Hopefully, I will have passed my SQE exams by then, so I want to start my journey as an NQ. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
Just do it! It’s not always going to be easy, but it is very rewarding in the end. You get the best out of both worlds, as you get to study a gain practical experience at the same time.
Anthony Igbonaju – January 2023
- Which team do you work with?
Real estate - What does your typical workday look like?
Not as busy, but mostly helping other fee earners with their workload. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
Getting stuck in and working with the team. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
Understanding terms and drafting to the required standard. But that should come with experience. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
To qualify as a solicitor and work for the firm in either the Real Estate team or the GP team. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
It is one of the best options to qualify as a solicitor. Getting remunerated whilst studying!
Libby Gissing – September 2023
- Which team do you work with?
I work in the Corporate Commercial team. - What does your typical workday look like?
Every day is very different! I typically check my inbox and calendar first thing in order to prioritise tasks and write a to do list. I work predominately with the procurement team, where I assist with their matters. Some of the tasks I often undertake include research, drafting advice, note taking in meetings, and drafting client care letters. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
I enjoy how varied the role of a solicitor apprentice is. As I move seats during my apprenticeship, it enables me to get to know colleagues in different departments and offices, as well as exploring a range of areas of law. For example, in my last seat, I attended a three week criminal trial, and in my current seat I am assisting in the drafting of important precedent documents. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
The most challenging part of being a solicitor apprentice is balancing work and studying. There is a lot of content in the SQE and a lot to learn, and whilst I am keen to say yes to all work and gain as much experience as possible, I have learnt that it is important to set boundaries and be transparent about my capacity. I have a dedicated day each week to study, but I do need to allocate extra time in the evenings and weekends to ensure I am continuing to keep on top of work. However, I ensure I stick to strict schedules, which has meant that it has been manageable. - What’s one thing you’ve learned about working in a law firm that surprised you?
I have been very impressed with the collaboration across the different offices, and ease of working remote. For example, my current team are spread across the offices, so I have not had the opportunity to meet everybody in person. However, this has not led to any issues in my development and learning, and I really feel part of the team due to the weekly team calls and collaboration on matters. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
After my apprenticeship, I should hopefully be a qualified solicitor! I am currently unsure on the area I would like to qualify in, as I am keen to keep an open mind when undertaking my future seats. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
I would definitely recommend applying for an apprenticeship for anybody considering it. It has been an invaluable experience to apply my learning practically throughout my studies and I have gained experience which I would not have done by simply reading textbooks. A piece of advice for somebody starting a solicitor apprenticeship is to focus on time management and planning. I plan out my week in advance around my working week to ensure I have enough time to complete my preparation for my current studies, undertake revision, and any social activities I have planned.
Abigail Ward – September 2024
- Which team do you work with?
I work within the Health Care Litigation team. - What does your typical workday look like?
My typical workday starts with checking my emails as soon as I log on. Once I’ve caught up with them, I usually review VF to stay on top of any upcoming deadlines. I then work through my to-do list, which may include administrative tasks like billing a file, or more substantive tasks such as drafting a solicitor’s report or a letter of response, which may be due in the next couple of weeks. Throughout the day, I check my emails periodically to ensure I haven’t missed anything requiring urgent attention. I often finish the day by updating my to-do list for the next working day and review that all my time has been recorded accurately. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
I really enjoy working at Hempsons as I am constantly surrounded by like-minded, genuine people, which creates a collaborative and supportive environment. It makes each day rewarding and motivates me to contribute my best. The team culture fosters both personal and professional growth and I truly value the opportunity to learn from colleagues who share a commitment to excellence. The most exciting thing about my job is the unpredictability of it. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, keeping me engaged and constantly learning. It pushes me to think creatively and adapt quickly which makes the job both stimulating and rewarding. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
The most challenging part of my role is time management. Within the Healthcare Litigation Department, we have a lot of strict deadlines that our clients expect us to meet. This means that you must manage your time effectively and learn how to prioritise tasks that are urgent. My to do list is how I prioritise my tasks as I often rank the items on the list in order of priority. This has helped me to stay organised at work and establish boundaries, allowing me to recognise when I am unable to take on additional tasks. - What’s one thing you’ve learned about working in a law firm that surprised you?
One thing that surprised me about working in a law firm is the level of adaptability required. While legal work can often seem structured and predictable, I’ve learned that the ability to pivot quickly- whether due to changes in regulations, client needs, or unexpected challenges- is essential. The fast-paced nature of the work keeps you on your toes and constantly learning to stay ahead. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
After completing my solicitor apprenticeship, my goal is to further develop my expertise in a specific area of law, whether it’s health care litigation, employment or another field that aligns with my interests. I aim to take on more complex and challenging cases, while continuing to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Long-term, I’d love to contribute to the growth of the firm and take on leadership responsibilities, such as mentoring future apprentices. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
I would advise someone thinking of applying for a solicitor apprenticeship to thoroughly research the role and the law firm to ensure it aligns with their interests and values. It is important to be prepared for a challenging yet rewarding experience, as the apprenticeship will require a strong work ethic, time management skills, and the ability to balance learning with practical work. I would also recommend being proactive in seeking opportunities to learn, whether through networking or attending webinars and open days. Finally, stay open to feedback, be patient with the learning process, and embrace every opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.
Lily Martin – September 2024
- Which team do you work with?
Crime and Regulatory - What does your typical workday look like?
My typical day involves an array of different tasks which vary each day. Some common tasks include handling and assisting with case preparation, drafting prepared statements for disciplinary and criminal interviews, considering pre-interview and pre-hearing bundles, instructing Counsel and experts, conducting or observing meetings with clients/Counsel, corresponding with Counsel/clients/regulators/investigators, managing funding requests and cost estimates. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
I have enjoyed working with different fee earners on matters which deal with various issues and legal areas. So far I have mainly worked on matters concerning the General Dental Council, General Medical Counsel and the Police (Conduct) Regulations. I have been able to learn a lot about regulatory and disciplinary investigations across a number of areas and develop crucial legal practice skills such as drafting, client care, taking instructions and time/finance management. It is a varied role that has encouraged me to undertake tasks that are outside of my comfort zone, furthering my ability to work confidently and independently. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
As the work that I do varies every day, my workload often fluctuates with some days being particularly busy meeting the tight deadlines that are standard in most disciplinary investigations. Sometimes, instructions are received only a few days before the deadline or hearing which requires you to action tasks quickly, some of the tasks you may have never done before, so you need to manage and prioritise your tasks appropriately to ensure that you have time to complete what is necessary by the relevant deadline. It can be challenging to pick up on new tasks with a short turnover period and it requires efficient communication with the relevant fee earners/experts, but I find this is a good opportunity to practice efficient time management and communication skills whilst also gaining experience with new tasks. - What’s one thing you’ve learned about working in a law firm that surprised you?
There is a lot of support within the firm both with the apprenticeship scheme and professional development as a junior member of staff. It feels like junior members of staff are listened to and their opinions are valued within the firm. The level of support surprised me as I had heard negative experiences before with trainees from other firms feeling as though they do not receive enough support, sometimes feeling over/under worked or feeling that their contributions are not appreciated or acknowledged. I am glad to say this has not been the experience I have had with Hempsons; I have a very supportive team and supervisor who I would feel comfortable discussing any issues or concerns with both relating to my professional and personal circumstances. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
My goal after my apprenticeship is to continue developing my legal and professional skills at Hempsons as a qualified solicitor. I am not sure what area I would like to qualify into yet, but I am looking forward to gaining experience in a number of areas throughout my apprenticeship. I will be focussing on furthering my experience in whatever area I qualify into, allowing me to continue developing my skills more independently as a solicitor. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
I would advise someone who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship to be prepared to balance work, studying and personal life. It can be challenging to feel like you have enough time to do everything you need to do, and you should be prepared for there to be a significant change in your lifestyle for the time you are studying as you need to make time outside of your allocated study day to ensure you can keep up with your classes and revision. However, it is also important to make time for the things you enjoy outside of law as otherwise it could easily become overwhelming, therefore taking regular time out is very important and helps keep you focussed when it comes to working and studying.
Business support apprenticeships
In addition to our graduate solicitor apprenticeships, we also offer a range of apprenticeships across our business support teams. As well as successfully completed programmes in our IT and marketing teams, we currently have an ongoing apprenticeship in our finance team. Read about Ben’s experience below.
Benjamin Jesson – May 2024
- Which team do you work with?
I work in the finance/accounts team. - What does your typical workday look like?
In my typical workday I deal with employee expenses and supplier invoices. This mostly involves processing them for payment and dealing with queries. I also regularly work with other departments to assist with any queries they have. - What is your favourite/most exciting part of your role so far?
My favourite part of my role so far is getting to interact with all the different departments within the firm. I also enjoy visiting the other offices and getting to work in different environments. - What is the most challenging part of your role?
The most challenging part of my role so far was adapting to corporate life having left education. However, the transition was managed well and I was always supported by the finance team and others. - What’s one thing you’ve learned about working in a law firm that surprised you?
One thing that has surprised me about working In a law firm is how much work Is done remotely. When joining I presumed a lot would have to be done in office, but now most of the work is digital that’s not the case, which can be a big help to work/life balance. - What are your goals for after your apprenticeship?
My goals after my apprenticeship are to keep progressing in my role at Hempsons. I would also like to study further qualifications at some point. - What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship?
My advice to someone thinking of applying for an apprenticeship would be to absolutely go for it. It’s a great way to enter a career you are interested in if you don’t have all the qualifications needed.
Contact us
If you are interested in learning more about our apprenticeship schemes, please get in touch with our HR team today.