Charles Russell Speechlys

Interview with an apprentice Jessica Dawkins, Solicitor apprentice

How did you find out about the legal apprenticeship route?

I found out about the legal apprenticeship route through my own research quite early on. Charles Russell Speechlys was actually one of the first firms I came across offering a degree apprenticeship. When I saw the benefits, it appeared to be a no brainer! My sixth form were very supportive of apprenticeships and we had students in previous years come back to school to talk to us about their experiences. Once I heard about their real-life experiences and all of the benefits that came along with the route it made me want to do an apprenticeship even more. I used online resources and looked at firm’s websites to find as many apprenticeship options as I could. Once I had my list, I began to apply to firms.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship over uni?

I was quite torn for a long time on whether I wanted to do an apprenticeship or go to uni. I wasn’t entirely sure if I wanted to miss out on the ‘uni experience’ but the benefits of an apprenticeship were also very clear to me. I decided to apply for both and take each day as it came. I was applying for both in the year 2020 so my future did seem somewhat uncertain for a long time with application processes being delayed or cancelled. I was accepted to my first-choice university, applied for my accommodation and took out my student loan. A couple of weeks later I found out I got the Solicitor Apprenticeship at Charles Russell Speechlys which is a Level 7 qualification apprenticeship. In the moment I was honestly still torn as I was mentally ready to go to uni, however once I thought about the many benefits, I realised the apprenticeship was an opportunity I just couldn’t miss out on. Being able to gain six years of work experience in my dream career while studying for my degree all aiming towards qualification was a no brainer.

What’s the best thing about working at Charles Russell Speechlys?

I think the best thing about Charles Russell Speechlys is the range of opportunities throughout the firm that allow for career development. I have the opportunity to gain experience in a vast range of departments due to what the firm can offer. The people are always willing to help you develop and I am constantly being pushed to my limits. In addition, the CRS business school offers a range of programmes that help with your personal skills and career development which I have found useful throughout the apprenticeship program.

What does your day-to-day work as a law apprentice involve?

Every day is different. Cliché! But it honestly is! My emails normally tell me where my day will go. I worked in our real estates disputes team for the first year of the apprenticeship. This was a litigation seat so day to day I was preparing bundles for court, attending client meetings and meetings with counsel, in addition to drafting break notices and lease extensions. My second year was spent in our corporate team. This was a transactional seat where I was drafting documents, liaising with clients, assisting with due diligence, helping with completions and project managing several different matters. The day to day work is extremely varied which means I am constantly learning a range of skills and knowledge. I’m looking forward to my third seat in our tax, trusts and successions team which will be totally different again which is really exciting.

Can you tell us a bit about how you study during your apprenticeship?

The programme is six years long. The first four years are spent studying for the degree and the last two the Solicitors Qualifying Exam. Throughout the apprenticeship we get one study day a week (normally a Wednesday) where we can switch off from work and focus on the studying. I try to get as much studying done as I can on my study day but I do occasionally study on weekends and evenings. We currently study with the University of Law and have exams three times a year. In the build up to the exam we get weekly content including a lecture, tasks and reading. When the exam comes around the firm will give us study leave to revise in the lead up to the exam!

What are the benefits of the legal apprenticeship route?

The main benefit of this route for me is the invaluable skills I have gained and will gain throughout the apprenticeship that I wouldn’t have if I went to uni. Simple skills such as time recording, being able to draft an email and communicate with clients are not skills they can teach in a lecture at university! Having this under my belt as well as developing them for four years will put me lightyears ahead of my peers when I join the ‘training contract’ in year five. I think another (more obvious) benefit is earning a salary from the start while also having my uni fees paid for. I have no student debt and can spend my salary on my interests such as travelling and day to day expenses.

What is the most challenging part about being a legal apprentice?

The most challenging part about being a legal apprentice is finding a work/life balance. The apprenticeship isn’t easy and can become challenging at times where work is busy and you have an exam coming up. That is why being organised is so important. Having a set plan where you set aside time for yourself, studying and work can help find the balance. You also have to be mindful that all of your friends are most likely at university with not as much day-to-day responsibility as you. FOMO can be a huge challenge! That’s why, again, it is important to factor in your interests. I tend to go out on weekends, and go on holidays which my friends at uni may not have the opportunity to do.

What is your top tip for anyone thinking of applying for a legal apprenticeship?

My top tip is always research! Being informed is the best way to get your best application across. Research the apprenticeship, the firms, law as a wider industry, the types of law you are particularly interested in: everything! The more you research the more prepared you will be for the application process and potentially an interview. Another top tip I always say to people is write everything you do down! You are probably gaining skills in every club, hobby, part-time job you do that you do not even realise you can talk about in an interview. Every bit of experience counts. So from today start writing everything down!

About the firm

Senior partner: Bart Peerless

Managing partner: Simon Ridpath

Other offices: Guildford, Cheltenham, Paris, Geneva, Luxembourg, Zurich, Manama, Doha, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore.

Who we are: We’re only human. And we consider that our superpower, not a weakness. We’ve built our firm on establishing trusted, meaningful relationships with our clients globally. After all, we are here to guide them through their most pressing challenges and most rewarding opportunities.

We do this by creating rewarding relationships and adopting a personal approach with total focus on client needs. We do this with kindness, empathy, attention and clarity. No jargon, no attitude. The results are deep and trusted relationships between our clients and us. Relationships that deliver value and peace of mind long-term. We make a difference to someone’s life.

What we do: We have a diverse range of skills and offer legal services globally through a broad range of integrated advisory, transactional and contentious services. We know it’s not enough to understand the law – we have to understand our clients just as well. So we apply a people-focused lens to every action we recommend to our clients. Our unique approach to law has made us a leader in the world of dynamic growth and family businesses, and among the world’s leading creators and owners of private wealth and their families. Major corporates and institutions benefit from our personalised approach as we embed ourselves in the teams of our clients, working alongside them and connecting them with the right people across our firm to help them excel in new opportunities.

We are based in London, Guildford and Cheltenham in the UK with international offices in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Our country desks focus on key international markets where we do not have offices including the USA, Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Israel, India and China as well as major European markets. Our international connections mean we can work with clients anywhere in the world. Whether a business operates in a single country or across borders, we’ll put a team together pulling from our sector and geographical expertise and our partnerships with the best law firms across the world covering 200 legal jurisdictions.

What we’re looking for: We look for candidates to achieve or be predicted at least BBB at A-Level (or equivalent), and have 8 GCSEs grades 9-4 including English and Maths. We also look for other key attributes, such as being client centric, committed to driving high standards, commercially minded, and mindful of your own personal impact and growth.

What you’ll do: We offer apprenticeships in our London and Guildford offices.

Our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme is a six-year programme, during which you will complete an LLB in Legal Practice, undertake the SQE 1 and SQE 2 exams, and complete two years of qualifying work experience. Across all six years, you will work in our London office for 35 hours per week: four days will be spent working in our practice groups and one day will be allocated to study.

During the first four years, you’ll be studying towards your law degree with our academic partner, the University of Law. You’ll spend a year in four different practice areas where you’ll be involved in many of the day-to-day tasks of a trainee lawyer.

In years five and six, you’ll be studying for the Solicitor’s Qualifying Exams while rotating teams every six months. Throughout your apprenticeship you will experience a range of different practice areas and get involved in high-level work with both private and commercial clients.

Some of your key tasks as a solicitor apprentice may include: drafting documents and correspondence; assisting partners and associates with various tasks; liaising with clients, other law firms and third parties including local authorities, Companies House etc; and conducting legal research. As you gain more experience, you’ll be given more responsibility such as attending client meetings with your supervisor and running parts of files.

Training and support: Throughout your apprenticeship programme and in addition to your studies you will receive regular training. This could come in the form of on the job training with your supervisor, or more formal training sessions through the Charles Russell Speechlys’ Business School. You’ll also be supported by the Early Talent Team who you will have catch ups with throughout each year.

In each group that you work in you will be assigned a dedicated supervisor who will work with you to ensure that you are developing the required skills and knowledge and will also assist you with your portfolio.

In addition to this, you will have a personal tutor at the University of Law who will meet you at regular intervals throughout the programme.

We also encourage you to get involved beyond the day to day work through our Responsible Business activities, whether that’s through our pro bono practice, volunteering with our CRS Foundation, or getting involved in diversity and inclusion initiatives. You can find out more in our Responsible Business reports on our website.

In the latter part of the apprenticeship, we also encourage our apprentices to go on a secondment. This helps you build a wider skillset and see things from a client’s perspective, or will enhance your international outlook by gaining exposure to work in a different jurisdiction. Secondments vary depending on business need, but our current international secondment opportunities include private client in our Swiss offices, or a mixture of practice areas in our Hong Kong, Dubai, Luxembourg or Paris offices.

Your legal training will also be supplemented by our CRS Business School which has specific development programmes for each stage of your career, including the Ignite programme which is designed for apprentices to build professional and commercial skills.

Perks: Private medical care, income protection, life assurance, employee assistance programme, virtual GP access, give as you earn scheme, cycle to work scheme, season ticket loan, dress for your day policy.

Sponsorship: All apprenticeship course and exam fees paid.

Diversity and inclusion