DWF — solicitor apprenticeship

Asked what attracted her to the apprenticeship route, one DWF insider explains, “I was drawn to the idea of getting a head start in my career and gaining practical experience straight away. I liked the idea of learning in a real working environment and contributing to meaningful work. I will qualify with six years’ experience working in a law firm, which is a huge advantage in such a competitive industry.” This desire to get some “hands on” experience alongside their studies is a sentiment many DWF apprentices echo. One apprentice also adds, “I am passionate about social mobility and widening access to the legal profession, so being able to experience the apprenticeship route myself and hopefully encourage others to consider it is something that is particularly important to me.”

And why DWF in particular? “While searching for an apprenticeship, I was looking for a firm that would genuinely invest in its people and development, and DWF’s values and culture really stood out,” says one apprentice. Another explains that “I wanted to join somewhere I could see myself building a career, rather than simply somewhere I could complete an apprenticeship, and that is exactly how I feel about DWF.” We hear that, at DWF, “there is a genuine encouragement to be yourself, rather than feeling that you have to fit a particular mould of what a future solicitor should look like.” One particular insider claims that the firms biggest strength is its people: “Everyone is approachable and genuinely wants you to succeed, which makes a huge difference when you’re starting your career.”

This supportive culture, along with “exceptional” and “incredibly practical” training means that school-leavers develop quickly while never being thrown in at the deep end. “There is a really good balance between being given responsibility and knowing that support is there when you need it. I have regular check-ins with my training provider, alongside the support I receive from my team and supervisors at DWF,” reveals an insider. Apprentices report that, with the necessary support, the firm is keen to let apprentices develop and take on increasing levels of responsibility. “I can already see how this route is shaping me for the future and I’m so grateful for the experience,” one rookie enthused. A seasoned apprentice, who now has seven years under her belt, tells Legal Cheek, “I joined the firm with little legal knowledge, but I was supported from the outset and encouraged to develop both personally and professionally. What has always stood out to me is that I have never felt any different from other members of the team because I was an apprentice.”

This focus on professional development sees apprentices get involved with all manner of legal tasks. “No two weeks are exactly the same,” we hear from one junior, while a more experienced apprentice tells us that “over the last two years, I have had the opportunity to arrange and conduct my first mediation, attend client and counsel conferences, attend court hearings, and draft a range of substantive legal documents.” Impressive!

There also appears to be no shortage of secondment opportunities at DWF, with apprentices able to gain experience through placements with UK-based clients in the final years of their programme, broadening their skills and commercial understanding.

The social life of a DWF apprentice doesn’t appear to be too bad either. “It’s not much different to university, in that you’re socialising and working every day,” she says. “I’ve never found it an issue at all; we’re always going out for drinks after work or having lunch together.” In fact, she says, “some of the people I’ve met at work, apprentices, paralegals and other members of staff, are some of my closest friends, who I go out with all the time!” Having stayed in her home city of Manchester, she was also fortunate to have retained a social network away from DWF. “Your weekends are your own when you’re an apprentice, so it leaves plenty of time to have a great social life outside of work.”

Squeezing all this in alongside academic studies with BPP University is no mean feat. “Managing both work and study definitely requires organisation, especially around coursework deadlines or exam periods,” one apprentice confesses, adding that, “a common misconception is that apprenticeship is the easier route, but that is far from true. Being an apprentice and balancing your time is incredibly demanding, but it is equally rewarding and certainly worth it.” More experienced apprentices tell LC that the academic demands of the programme start to ramp up a few years in. “As you progress through the programme, the volume and complexity of university work increases and it is important to be organised and work ahead,” reveals one insider. “I often find myself working outside of my study day, whether that be at the weekend or the mornings/evenings before/after work.” The key to staying motivated, according to one DWF apprentice, is to avoid perfectionism and give yourself some grace: “I often put pressure on myself to receive excellent results and whilst you should strive to perform the best you can academically, you must remember that you are working full time too,” she says.

Offering advice for apprenticeship hopefuls, one insider advises applicants “not to underestimate the value of experiences outside law.” “Whether it is a part-time job, a hobby or volunteering, those experiences can demonstrate key skills and show a firm the type of person you are,” she explains. Other advice includes “taking the time to understand the firm and reflect on why it is the right fit for you,” with another rookie adding, “Don’t just memorise the firm’s values or read its website. Think about why you actually want to work there, what areas of its work interest you and what you could bring to the firm.” Current apprentices also tell candidates to “be yourself”: “DWF are not looking for carbon copies or someone who can give a ‘perfect answer’, they are looking for individuals with a genuine passion for law and potential,” we are told. Finally, one DWF insider’s advice is simply: “If you are considering applying to DWF specifically, I would say go for it. I genuinely love my job!”

This is DWF’s Solicitor Apprenticeship profile. Read DWF’s full Legal Cheek profile here.