A newly-qualified solicitor from Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has become the first apprentice to qualify via the Solicitor Apprenticeship route in the firm's Southampton office.
Rianna Farrow recently completed her six-year apprenticeship, having joined the programme in September 2019. As part of the programme, Rianna combined part-time academic study with work-based learning, which allowed her to earn a law degree and postgraduate qualification without incurring student loan debt. She also gained six years of employment experience.
During her apprenticeship, Rianna gained valuable experience working in several teams across the firm. She spent four years in corporate finance, followed by six months each in the development and investors, commercial disputes & regulatory, property disputes, and corporate finance and tax/banking teams. She also completed a commercial secondment with an international retailer.
Rianna said:
“My apprenticeship at Womble Bond Dickinson has been an incredible experience. Mixing academic study with practical work across a variety of teams gave me unique insights and skills the traditional route. I’m proud to have qualified as a solicitor through this programme and grateful for the support and encouragement from colleagues over the past six years.
Rotating through teams and completing a secondment were invaluable to my development. Each role brought new challenges and perspectives, and the secondment gave me direct client experience, shaping my career and confidence as a newly-qualified solicitor.”
Jon Hales, partner and Southampton office head at Womble Bond Dickinson, said:
“We're extremely proud of Rianna’s achievement as the first graduate of our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme in Southampton. This pathway helps talented people join the legal profession without the traditional barriers, while also bringing fresh perspectives and practical skills to our firm. Over the past six years, Rianna has shown outstanding professionalism, adaptability, and a real passion for the law. Her journey highlights the benefits of combining academic study with real-world experience, and we look forward to supporting more apprentices in the future.”
First launched in 2016 in Newcastle, WBD's Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme has been rolled out in Bristol, Southampton and Plymouth. To date, seven solicitor apprentices have qualified with 17 currently on the programme (three in Southampton) and three more joining in January.
Following completion of her apprenticeship, Rianna moved into a newly-qualified role in the corporate finance & tax team in the firm's London office.
