Are you looking to start a career in law? Our legal and business service apprenticeship programmes at Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) provide you with valuable work experience and qualifications  – without the cost of going to university.

Whether you are a school or college leaver, or considering a change in your career - our award-winning apprenticeship programmes are a great way to gain relevant skills and qualifications, through a combination of paid, on-the-job learning and dedicated study time.

You can become one of our many students across the UK, earning as they study to become a lawyer or business service professional in the legal sector.

We are currently recruiting our next cohort of Solicitor Apprentices for 2024. Applications will open on 28 October 2023, and close on 7 December 2023. To find out more and to apply, please visit our careers page.

Unsure if a career in law is for you? Take a look at some of the myths that we want to bust about the legal profession here

Solicitor apprenticeships

Our six-year solicitor apprenticeship programme is a paid, full-time role, with 20% of your time dedicated to 'off-the-job' training.

During your apprenticeship, you will experience a variety of practice areas and build a strong work portfolio, whilst obtaining a law degree - sitting your Solicitor Qualifying Exams in years five and six.

During your apprenticeship, you will be fully supported by both WBD and our course partners, The University of Law.

If you are interested in studying law and becoming a solicitor through our apprenticeship programme, you will need a minimum of 3 A Levels (or equivalent) and GCSEs in Maths and English, all at grade C or above.

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept applications from those who already hold a law degree, GDL or LPC.

Want to learn more? Read a blog from one of our Solicitor Apprentices for more information about programme and the recruitment process.

For any queries, please contact Kita Watkins or Skye Fenton-Wells.

To stay up to date with our recruitment updates and news, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook.

Legal business services apprenticeships

You can apply for apprenticeship programmes across a number of our business support functions including: HR, Administration, IT, Facilities, Risk and Best Practice and Finance. 

During your apprenticeship, you will gain valuable, professional qualifications alongside your paid business support role. These will vary depending on your chosen programme and usually last between 12 to 36 months. 

You will be fully supported throughout your apprenticeship at WBD, with regular check in meetings with your designated skills coach. 

Please note: eligibility is dependent on each apprenticeship and will be stated on the advert.

For any queries, please contact Kita Watkins or Skye Fenton-Wells.

What is the recruitment process at WBD?

Each of our apprenticeship programmes are unique to reflect the demands of the individual teams you can work within.

Although you may have found recruitment processes quite daunting in the past, or if you are nervous about your first experience applying for a job, this doesn't need to be the case. Our team are here to reassure and help you through every stage of the recruitment process.

During the recruitment process, WBD measure four competencies to assess the skills and attributes that you will need to excel in our business:

Collaboration


Collaboration

Client focus


Client Focus

Creating Value


Creating Value

Adaptability


Adaptability

Our Early Talent recruitment team use these competencies to measure your potential to develop these skills – rather than focusing on past behaviours and skills.

You can find a timeline of the recruitment process at WBD below:

Timeline

1. Registration form (28 October 2023 – 7 December 2023)

To start, you will need to fill out a basic registration form with a few details about yourself, before moving onto the next stage.

Timeline

2. High potential assessment and video reflection (14 December 2023 - 15 January 2024)

Next, you will be invited to complete an online assessment and a pre-recorded video interview.

You will be asked three questions – with unlimited amount of time to think about your answer. 

You’ll also have the chance to complete a practice question before starting, so that you can understand the format of the interview and how the technology works.

This is an opportunity for the early talent team to get to know you more, so remember to be yourself, try not to overthink your answers and let your personality shine through.

Before you start, you can try a practice test here – this will give you an idea of how the online assessment questions and video interview works.

Timeline

3. Virtual assessment day (12 February 2024 – 26 February 2024)

If you are successful in the second stage, you’ll be invited to attend a virtual assessment day. 

This will involve a group and individual exercise, with the opportunity for you to meet people from our business.

Remember, recruitment is a two-way process at WBD. By the end of the virtual assessment day, you’ll be able to decide whether WBD is right for you – and we’ll have a better understanding of who you are.

Timeline

4. Work placement week (includes final interview) (w/c 1 April, w/c 8 April and w/c 15 April 2024)

Our placement weeks are a vital part of your recruitment process. The hybrid placement weeks offer a great insight into our business and the responsibilities and work you'll undertake if you join us at WBD.

The placement week will also involve a strengths-based interview, with two members of the WBD team. 

This is another chance for you to learn more about our business, get a feel for what it would be like to work in our team - and understand if WBD is the right place for you.

What do you need to apply for our apprenticeship programmes?

You will be a bright, enthusiastic team player with a great academic record. You also will have great communication (both written and verbal) and strong organisational skills, with an ability to prioritise the demands of study and work. 

Ideally, you will have some prior customer service experience. Most importantly, you will have the desire for continued learning and development. 

Does this sound like you? Then we want to hear from you. 

For any queries, please contact Kita Watkins or Skye Fenton-Wells.

What training and support is provided at WBD?

As an apprentice at Womble Bond Dickinson, you will receive high-quality training and on-the-job learning throughout your programme.

You will be allocated a supervisor and a mentor at the start of your apprenticeship. You will also have access to a peer group of apprentices from across the business – so you feel fully supported throughout. 

Through our apprenticeship programme, you will experience a broad variety of work to fully develop your skills and provide you with a real insight into your chosen career. 

In addition to your formal apprenticeship training and the on-the-job learning, you'll also have access to our apprenticeship development programme to develop the business skills you need for a successful, future career.

What employee benefits are available?

Our benefits are designed with you in mind. In addition to your contractual benefits, at Womble Bond Dickinson you will access to a range of flexible benefits, discounts and other perks in order to build a reward package that suits your lifestyle.

To learn more, watch our short video and see the reward and benefits you can choose from.