The Legal Cheek View
This is the Fladgate profile for those considering solicitor apprenticeships. Students looking to apply for training contracts should check out Legal Cheek’s main Fladgate profile.
Operating from a single office in heart of London, Fladgate’s 200-lawyer team punches well above its weight, handling work that rivals much larger City firms. Apprentices can expect exposure to headline-making deals, multi-million-pound projects and matters for high-net-worth individuals.
Launched in 2022, Fladgate’s six-year solicitor apprenticeship offers an alternative route to qualification for aspiring lawyers keen to learn by doing. “I knew that the opportunity to work alongside a team of legal professionals and to benefit from their expertise and support at such an early stage in my career would be invaluable, and undoubtably help with both my personal and professional development,” one happy apprentice tells us. The first cohort will qualify in 2028, with small intakes every two years to ensure plenty of support and supervision. Apprentices spend four days a week in one of the firm’s core departments — dispute resolution, corporate, funds, finance & regulatory, or real estate — and one day studying with The University of Law.
The apprenticeship is designed in a way that “promotes development,” we’re told, and the structure provides a smooth progression from theory to practice, combining real responsibility with guided learning. “During the first two years, we work in an administrative role, progressing to paralegal roles in years three and four, and ultimately beginning our training contracts in years five and six,” our insider explains. This step-by-step approach “helps to build a solid understanding of how different areas of the firm work and the role everyone plays in delivering a good service for our clients.”
The training contract itself is a little different from the norm. Trainees rotate through six four-month seats over the final two years, offering greater variety and client exposure than the traditional six-month model. Seats typically include both a contentious and a transactional or advisory department, ensuring apprentices qualify with a well-rounded skill set.
This full-service firm combines big-ticket corporate work with high-end private client matters across a wide range of sectors. As our apprentice explains, “Fladgate stood out to me as a reputable firm with a strong commercial and private client base.” The firm’s expertise spans M&A, venture capital, funds, dispute resolution, construction, family, financial services, hotels, luxury assets, projects and infrastructure, real estate, technology, and more. “The quality of work and clientele is impressive,” they tell us. “I was very keen to train across a broad range of legal sectors, and I felt that Fladgate could offer that.”
The client base is just as diverse. The firm’s lawyers have worked on major regeneration projects across London, including Battersea Power Station and Wembley Park, while its private client team advises entrepreneurs, family offices and high-net-worth individuals on everything from art collections and philanthropy to cross-border tax planning.
With roots dating back to the 18th century, Fladgate is said to have advised Abraham Lincoln during his presidency, assisting with the establishment of the Smithsonian Institution, and has since acted for two British prime ministers. This long history underpins a modern, international outlook that continues to evolve with the times.
The firm places strong emphasis on early responsibility and professional development, with apprentices praising the high quality of work and early client exposure. A current apprentice tells us, “Working for a mid-size firm in the city has its advantages — apprentices are trusted with real responsibility and involvement in transactions from the start.” The chance to build client relationships is another major draw. “The firm’s focus on creating personal, approachable relationships with clients, along with its friendly culture, really stood out,” they say.
We’re told the firm’s “personable approach” is also “embedded within its culture, ensuring apprentices, feel supported and valued. This supportive culture is reinforced by an open-door policy and buddy system that help new joiners feel part of the team from day one. Close supervision and regular feedback keep development on track, and “questions are always encouraged at all levels.” Apprentices are encouraged to get involved straight away, drafting, researching and joining client calls alongside experienced lawyers. “The firm truly prioritises an open-door culture and for me, this demonstrates the key element of a supportive environment that wants to help each apprentice flourish,” our insider says.
“Everyone is approachable,” according to our sources, and the small, close-knit cohorts foster a strong sense of community and plenty of peer support. “You can build a solid network of friends within work,” one apprentice shared. There are also lots of opportunities to “bond and network” outside day-to-day work, with regular socials and firm events.
While there are occasions, particularly around deadlines, when later finishes are needed, the workload is generally “manageable”. Teams regularly “discuss capacity to make sure no one is feeling overwhelmed and the work is being shared out equally.” This balance reflects Fladgate’s “big emphasis on the wellbeing and development of its employees,” a major attraction for many apprentices who say they feel “lucky to be a part of it.”
The firm’s headquarters on Great Queen Street place apprentices in the heart of London’s cultural and social hub, with Russell Square to the north, Holborn to the east, Covent Garden to the south and Soho to the west. There’s no shortage of cafés, restaurants and things to do nearby — ideal for team lunches, after-work socials and firm events.
Joining as one of Fladgate’s select few solicitor apprentices means becoming part of a small, supportive cohort at an exciting time in the firm’s growth. With revenue up 17% to £88 million and profit per equity partner rising 20% to over £1 million, Fladgate’s financials show a firm on the rise. For apprentices, there’s no better time to hop aboard and grow alongside it.
This is Fladgate’s Solicitor Apprenticeship profile. Read Fladgate’s full Legal Cheek profile here.