Freshfields — solicitor apprenticeship

The Legal Cheek View

This is the Freshfields profile for those considering solicitor apprenticeships. Students looking to apply for training contracts should check out Legal Cheek’s main Freshfields profile.

Freshfields has joined the ranks of Magic Circle firms offering solicitor apprenticeships for 2025. Based at its fancy London HQ, apprentices have the opportunity to explore the firm’s diverse practice areas, primarily focused on the commercial, corporate, and financial sectors. Key practice areas for this prestigious firm include global transactions, banking, dispute resolution, competition and trade, and intellectual property.

From day one, solicitor apprentices dive into real legal work while having the opportunity to explore ten different practice areas across the firm throughout the six-year programme. The first four years involve four year-long rotations across various practice groups, providing a strong foundation of legal experience. Freshfields told Legal Cheek that their apprentices can expect “hands-on experience from day one”, with the first rotation assigned to each apprentice and subsequent rotations selected based on their preferences.

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By having “touchpoints” across the business services side of the firm, apprentices can gain a holistic understanding of how Freshfields operates as a firm. They have opportunities to get involved in business development, finance, assistance centre work, and traditional fee-earning teams. As result, apprentices gain a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the firm from the ground up.

In their final two years, apprentices roll into shorter seat rotations. This mirrors the work of their graduate counterparts on the firm’s training contract. Experienced apprentices may explore up to six different practice areas during these final two years. Adventurous apprentices also have the opportunity for a six-month secondment, which could be at one of Freshfields’ 28 global offices—such as Silicon Valley, New York, Hong Kong, or Dubai—or with one of the firm’s high-profile clients, including the Bank of England and Goldman Sachs.

On the educational front, the first four years of the scheme sees apprentices pursue a part-time law degree, dedicating one day a week to studying with BPP. In the final two years, the focus shifts to preparing apprentices for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams (SQE), the aim being that recruits emerge as fully qualified solicitors at the end of the six-year programme.

Socially, apprentices have plenty of opportunities to get involved. Firm-wide events at upscale venues like Somerset House are complemented by occasional “away days”, where Freshfields’ recruits can connect with colleagues from other international offices. Apprentices are also included in all trainee, firm-wide, and team social events. There’s even a “back to the 80s” night planned on the firm’s Horizon 21 floor in the new London office. Additionally, Freshfields offers internal societies for running, football, netball, and a book club, along with networks for LGBTQ+ individuals, minority communities, and faith groups.

This is the Freshfields profile for those considering solicitor apprenticeships. Students looking to apply for training contracts should check out Legal Cheek’s main Freshfields profile.

Deadlines

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

September 2025-2031
Applications open 28/10/2024
Applications close 03/02/2025

Money

First year salary £28,000
Second year salary Undisclosed
Third year salary Undisclosed
Fourth year salary Undisclosed
Fifth year salary £56,000
Sixth year salary £61,000

First year solicitor apprentices will also receive a £3,000 sign-on bonus.

General Info

Solicitor apprenticeships each year 6
Locations where apprenticeships offered 1
Minimum GCSE requirement Seven 4s
Minimum A-level requirement ABB

GCSE requirements include English and Maths. Solicitor apprenticeships are offered in London.