Law apprenticeships

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.

Applications for our January 2026 intake of WBD Solicitor Apprentices are currently open until Friday 18 April. Apply here.

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. 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 these from our Solicitor Apprentices, Abigail Langstaff, Eby Abraha and Isobel Clark, for more information about programme and the recruitment process.

Or watch the video from some of our other Solicitor Apprentices below to hear first hand what it's all about.

For any queries, please contact our Early Talent Team on early.careers@wbd-uk.com.

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 our Early Talent Team on early.careers@wbd-uk.com.

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

Client Focus

Creating Value

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:

1. Application form - 17 February to 18 April 2025

Streamlined application form to determine eligibility for a solicitor apprenticeship.

2. High potential assessment - April to May 2025

Once an application has been submitted, you will be invited to complete our High Potential online assessment.

3. Telephone interviews - June 2025

Candidates who successfully pass the high potential assessment stage will be invited to participate in a brief telephone interview with a member of the Early Talent team.

4. Assessment day - July 2025

If you are successful following the online assessment, you will be invited to an assessment day.

5. Work placement and final interview - W/C 11 August 2025

Following the assessment day, successful candidates will be invited to a work placement at the location they have applied to, and the final interview will take place during this week.

To get you started, some of our solicitor apprentices share their top tips and insights into the application process in the video below.

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 our Early Talent Team on early.careers@wbd-uk.com.

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.

Apprenticeship blogs and insights

Want to learn more about the apprenticeship programmes at Womble Bond Dickinson?

Watch this video from Chloe McGuinness, Deputy Operations Manager, who shares her journey from apprentice to her current role.

Read some blogs and insights - covering topics from the application process to what life is like as an apprentice at WBD - written by apprentices and their supervisors at the firm below: