Apprenticeship
Schemes
Kick start your career by gaining invaluable work experience in a top law firm whilst studying towards a recognised qualification.
An alternative to university
We recognise that university is not for everyone and welcome a pathway that acknowledges a different approach to kick start your career. Earn a salary from day one and build your skills and knowledge with experienced reputable professionals. Our Apprenticeship Schemes provide individuals with invaluable work experience in an award winning premium law firm.
Addleshaw Goddard's Business Services group and Transaction Services Team are an exciting place to begin and shape your career as an apprentice. In addition to our Legal Apprenticeships, apprenticeship schemes in our Business Services group launched in April 2023. If you are interested in finding out more, please see further information below or email earlycareers@addleshawgoddard.com
Paralegal Apprenticeship
We are proud to have offered 57 Legal Apprenticeships since 2013 and continue to support this pathway within Addleshaw Goddard.
Our Legal Apprenticeship schemes are based in our Transaction Services Team (TST). The team comprises of over 200 team members split across all of our UK offices and are made up of Apprentices, Paralegals, Managers and qualified Solicitors to support in the delivery of the wide range of work.
Qualification achieved: Paralegal level 3 apprenticeship + Level 4 Cert of HE in Legal services (equivalent to first year of an undergraduate degree).
Progression route: There are many opportunities to develop your career in law at Addleshaw Goddard, such as progressing on to the Solicitor Apprenticeship (with exemptions), further study to qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive or even pursue a career in managing other Paralegals.
Key Information
Applications open in December 2024
Training Provider: BPP
Duration: 24 months
Locations: Leeds and Manchester.
Study days: One allocated day a week.
Entry requirements: Minimum of three A-levels at grades C or above or equivalent UCAS points and five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths (or equivalent).
Finance & Projects
Your work will relate to the legal documents surrounding corporate loans, company insolvency or project finance, such as finance for new wind farms. You will be assigned a variety of tasks including drafting documents, reviewing key documents on the transaction, assisting in completions (which can include meeting clients), document management and utilising technology to manage data sites and to support solicitors with managing their matters.
Corporate & Commercial
You will complete a large range of tasks, from drafting forms for Companies House, reviewing and summarising different sort of commercial contracts, compiling bundles for employment tribunals and bibles of documents for large corporate transactions. You will also get involved with large scale reviewing and redaction of commercially sensitive data and other confidential information. There are opportunities to meet clients by supporting solicitors at completion meetings or taking minutes at other client meetings.
REAL ESTATE
You will get involved with a variety of different tasks such as supporting the solicitors on property management files, drafting different sorts of property documents e.g. licences and rent review documents. Other key tasks are using the Land Registry to download key property documents, document management and utilising technology to manage data sites. As the law is different in each jurisdiction, the team are also trained on English and Scottish land law so that they can support solicitors in all of our AG offices.
DISPUTES
You will work on a variety of tasks to support the solicitors in preparing for court matters. This could involve large electronic document review exercises, commonly where the TST is instructed to review thousands of documents to determine if anything is to the detriment of our client's case. Reviews like this are commonly tech assisted (our online platform uses AI software) to help predict which documents might be relevant based on the coding decisions. You will also assist with preparing bundles of documents for hearings, legal research and other document management or organisations tasks.
INNOVATION AND LEGAL TECH (ILT)
The Innovation and Legal Technology (ILT) team formed part of the TST until 2015, when it became a separate part of the business. The team blends technology and legal expertise and focusses on utilising new technology for the smart delivery of legal services and the creation of innovative client solutions. The team is subdivided into seven pillars covering a range of areas such as client projects, internal efficiency and research and development. During your seat in ILT, you will have the opportunity to develop your understanding and experience of exciting new technologies alongside developing wider skills such as problem solving and client care.
EDINBURGH TST HUB
You will work with the Scottish office across Disputes and Real Estate, dealing with matters in both English and Scots Law. There are some significant differences between the jurisdictions, but you will receive comprehensive training and support during your time in the seat. This seat will be a mixture of remote working and working from your home office. You will also have the option to spend some limited time in the Edinburgh office (with travel and accommodation costs to be covered by AG).
Solicitor Apprenticeship
This programme will see our Solicitor Apprentices develop their knowledge and skills further by getting involved in day to day tasks of an experienced Paralegal and Trainee Solicitor, whilst attending university one day a week. The programme will involve seat rotations, providing valuable insight into all the services we provide.
Whilst training as a solicitor apprentice, you will support the Paralegals and Senior Paralegals within the different sub teams in TST, as well as fee earners across the firm with routine legal tasks for the first four years. In the remaining two years of the apprenticeship, you will join the Trainee Solicitor cohort and will complete seat rotations organised by the Early Careers team to gain valuable insight into all the services we provide. You will also will have the option to apply to do a seat in the Innovation and Legal Technology team. The work may come from any of the firm's groups, and as a result, you will be working on a wide variety of assignments. The complexity of work and responsibility will develop over the course of the apprenticeship.
You will spend one day per week studying with our training provider, BPP University, where you will work towards your Law degree. Addleshaw Goddard will cover the entire tuition fee and you will also earn a salary from day one, which will increase as you progress during your training.
Upon obtaining your law degree, you will begin to prepare for the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) part 1 and 2. Once you have successfully completed the exams, you will then become a qualified solicitor and have the opportunity to apply for newly qualified roles within Addleshaw Goddard.
Qualification achieved: Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice awarded by BPP university
Progression route: Newly Qualified Solicitor role (subject to vacancies)
Key Information
Applications open in December 2024
Training Provider: BPP
Duration: 4 – 6 years (depending on exemptions)
Locations: Leeds and Manchester. Other locations will vary depending on business needs.
Study days: One allocated day a week.
Entry requirements: Three A-levels at grades ABB and five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths (or equivalent). (Above minimum A-level grades are not required if progressing from Paralegal Apprenticeship)
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
You will receive support and guidance from the moment you apply.
Preparation evening
The TST team host a pre-assessment centre workshop to ensure you have all the information available to prepare you for the assessment centre - including details about the interview process, group exercise and proof reading exercise.
Pre-induction
You will be invited to attend a welcome evening prior to starting your apprenticeship with us. Hosted by the TST team, the aim of the welcome evening is to provide you with a structured overview of the sub teams, the level of work you will be involved in within the TST and you will also meet your new Line Manager and members of your team. As well as this, you will have the opportunity to network with your future colleagues and key members of the TST team and will be provided with all necessary materials to enhance your understanding of Addleshaw Goddard prior to joining.
Your first day
On your first day of induction to the firm, you will have the opportunity to meet and network with the rest of your cohort and will meet your team and apprentice buddy who is on hand to support your learning journey. The induction programme is a mix of key skills and development training to ensure you feel empowered to begin your apprenticeship at Addleshaw Goddard. You will also be required to attend an apprenticeship induction with BPP University, where you will receive all the relevant training and support to aid your studies.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Eligibility screening
Paralegal & Solicitor Apprenticeship only.
Candidates will be required to disclose their qualifications and submit a CV to ensure they meet the requirements of the apprenticeship.
Application Form
Candidates who wish to apply to us must complete the relevant online application form.
Voice interview
On successful screening of your eligibility form, you will be invited to complete a voice interview, which can be recorded at a time and location convenient to you.
Situational Judgement Test
Paralegal & Solicitor Apprenticeships only.
Candidates will be required to complete a Situational Judgement Test (SJT). This test will present hypothetical work-related situations, and will allow us to assess your judgement and decision making abilities.
Assessment Centre
Successful applicants will be invited to our offices for the final assessment process and meet us in person. The assessments comprise of a competency based interview, in tray exercise and group assessment (UK only)
Key skills we look for during the application and assessment process
Why join Addleshaw Goddard?
Attend our Insight Day to find out more about the career pathways available through our apprenticeship schemes and experience our culture first hand. This is a great opportunity to meet and network with key stakeholders and current apprentices. Find out why Addleshaw Goddard is the right next step for you.