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Bridge McFarland LLP

Trainee Solicitor/ Solicitor Apprenticeship Recruitment Process

Bridge McFarland LLP, August, California, United States,


Trainee Solicitor / Solicitor Apprenticeship Recruitment Process

With offices across Lincolnshire, including Lincoln, Grimsby and Hull, we fully support solicitor apprenticeship programmes. Read below to find out more.Trainee Solicitor/ Solicitor Apprenticeship Recruitment Process

The legal profession is currently in a period of transition from the “traditional route” to qualification via the Legal Practice Course and Training Contract to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route.As such, we currently offer a number of options for aspiring solicitors to qualify.Regardless of the route, and prior to selection, we require all potential trainees to have a period of work experience with the firm, referred to as our Work Placement Scheme, generally for a period between 2 – 6 weeks (depending on availability and capacity).Routes to Qualification:

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

– a 6 year programme designed for those without a degree who wish to qualify as a solicitor without going to university. Apprentices will ultimately have to pass the SQE 1 and SQE 2 examinations.Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

– a shorter programme (30 months) which consists of legal practice modules as well as preparing apprentices to sit the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. During this time apprentices will obtain the necessary two years qualifying work experience to enable qualification as a solicitor at the end of the apprenticeship.Non-Law Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

– a 36 month programme suitable for those not eligible for the Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship but those with some legal qualifications. The programme consists of legal practice modules as well as preparing apprentices to sit the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations. During this time apprentices will obtain the necessary two years qualifying work experience to enable qualification as a solicitor at the end of the apprenticeship.With all Apprenticeship options, apprentices will be allowed one working day for studying per week.Training Contract

– This is the traditional route to qualification, suitable for those who have completed the LPC. The Training Contract requires a period of two years qualifying work experience. Trainees will gain experience in different areas of law covering both contentious and non-contentious work.Criteria

Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

– At least 5 GCSEs at grade B / 6 and above and 3 A-Levels at grades / predicted grades A, B, B or 128 UCAS points.Graduate Entry Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

– As above plus a minimum of a 2:1 degree in law; or a 2:1 honour’s degree in a non-law subject and a minimum pass in a PGDL/GDL.a 2:2 English law degree or law conversion course completed more than 5 years prior to the start of the programme; orScottish law degree; orOther international law degrees, where the applicant has some experience in a legal practice; orA 2:2 non-law degree, where the applicant has at least 2 years’ practical work experience in a legal department (excluding non-pure legal experience e.g legal tech).Training Contract

– As above plus successful completion of the LPC.With your application form, please provide a 500-word essay explaining how “the Law” has impacted your life and / or the lives of your friends or family.Stage 2 – Workbook

If your application is shortlisted at this stage, you will be provided with a Workbook for completion. The Workbook is designed to test a number of the skills required to become a successful solicitor. You will be given one week to complete and return this.Stage 3 – Interview and Presentation

If you are shortlisted following the application and workbook stages, you will be invited to interview at one of our offices. On arrival you may be asked to complete a short assessment. You will then be required to give a 10-minute presentation to an interview panel on a topic which will be provided when you are invited to interview.Stage 4 – Placement

If successful, you will be invited to attend for a Work Placement.If not successful, you will be told prior to the Work Placement coming to an end and appropriate feedback will be provided.Alternatively, you will be offered one of the following:To come back for further Work Placements in the future for further experience / assessment.A Legal Assistant role on a fixed term basis so that further assessment can take place before being offered a Training Contract / Apprenticeship.Application Closing Dates

We review applications (together with completed essays and workbooks) and conduct interviews at regular intervals throughout the year.

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