Contributors
Since becoming a supervisor to one of our solicitor apprentices in the Corporate team, I have learnt a lot about the apprenticeship process and how to be an effective supervisor (although there is still plenty for me to learn in respect of both!). If you are interested in starting your career in law and applying for the solicitor apprenticeship programme at Womble Bond Dickinson, I have shared my 'headline' advice below:
Application
Write clearly and concisely in your application. A key skill of a good commercial lawyer is getting your point across as efficiently as possible - and your application should be the same.
Interview
Practice answering scenario-based questions before your interview, e.g. "tell us about a time where you worked in a team", or "tell us about a time where worked to a strict deadline". I am on the interview panel for prospective trainees and you would be surprised how many people aren’t prepared for these types of questions. Try and also think about the lessons you learnt from these experiences.
Work experience
(This also applies to your time here when you join the firm!)
- Don’t feel like you need to act in a certain way to be noticed (although obviously being nice helps!). There is no single type of successful candidate.
- Similar to the first point, the loudest voice in the room isn’t always the one being noticed and the best way to impress people is simply by doing as good a job as possible with the work you are given.
- Don’t rush the work you are given. At WBD we often work to strict timeframes, but people will know that this is likely to be your first experience of a law firm. It is better to take your time doing a thorough job than rush out a piece of work that isn’t right.
- Get to know the people around you as much as you can – they will be more likely to get you involved if you can build a relationship with them.
- Do not be afraid to ask for work (in fact I would encourage it) from as many people as possible. If you do this at the start of your work experience or time as a Solicitor Apprentice you will soon find you no longer need to!
There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to start a career in law, but in my view becoming a solicitor apprentice in the Corporate Finance team is not a bad way to do it. You will be surprised how quickly you will get immersed in the transactions we are doing and will swiftly become part of the team.
Remember that the work experience part of the application process is as much about you getting to know the firm and what we do (and what you will do if you join) as it is about us getting to know you, so if in doubt I would encourage you to at least give it a go.
And finally, I wish all those considering applying for a career as a solicitor apprenticeship the best of luck!
For more information about the solicitor apprenticeship programme at WBD, click here.
