Solicitor Apprenticeship (school leaver) - 2025 - Michelmores

Application deadline: Sunday 23 February 2025 at 23:59 (UTC)

Our apprenticeship

Our programme allows you to qualify as a solicitor by completing a Level 4 paralegal and Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship over a period of seven years. This is the same time it would take you to qualify through the traditional route.

You will begin by studying for your Level 4 paralegal apprenticeship whilst simultaneously working and gaining practical skills of how to become a successful qualified solicitor in a supportive and collaborative law firm. The apprenticeship allows you to put into practice the theoretical knowledge you learn, right away.

Following this route you will build the skills you will need as a solicitor and be able to enjoy the practical application of your professional qualification, enabling you to build a strong foundation for your future career. Our apprenticeship programmes are designed so all our newly qualified solicitors, regardless of the route they qualify into, are equipped to work with their clients and colleagues in a creative, collaborative and commercial way which paves the way for them to thrive in their future careers.

Both the apprenticeship and any qualifications associated with the apprenticeship, including the SQE will be fully funded by Michelmores.

How does it work?

During the first two years of your apprenticeship, you will complete the Level 4 paralegal apprenticeship, after which those with the ability and desire to continue with the Level 7 solicitor apprenticeship (you will jump a year by completing the paralegal apprenticeship) will have the opportunity to do so and achieve a law degree and the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) as part of your qualification.

Throughout your apprenticeship you will spend four days a week working closely with qualified lawyers and other professionals in a team, and have one day to study at the University of Law. You will spend time in several of our business support and legal departments, providing you with a breadth and depth of experience.

This is a Bristol or Exeter based apprenticeship that will begin in September 2025.

Why Michelmores?

Michelmores is the destination law firm for the ambitious, the imaginative and the distinctive. We help enterprises and individuals navigate change to find a positive future.

We are a flexible, friendly and inclusive organisation with as clear a focus on fresh thinking as we have on growth and success. We value and nurture our people’s potential and inspiration and give them a creative, open and collaborative environment in which to develop a career and succeed.

As an apprentice at Michelmores, you will find the best blend of varied, high-quality work in a flexible and supportive environment.

Alongside building your understanding of the law, you’ll gain a real grasp of the commercial realities that affect our clients and how we help them make the most of their opportunities.

You will be joining a firm that wants to make a positive difference to the world around them, for their people, their clients, the local communities we work in and the planet.

Find out more by clicking here.

Who are we looking for?

• Individuality
• The right values and behaviours
• A growth mindset
• Future leaders
• Candidates who are passionate about law and a career at Michelmores

Next Steps To apply please click via the Apply link

Michelmores LLP is an Equal Opportunities Employer

We do not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, marital status, age, religion, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability or sexual orientation in the selection, recruitment and treatment of our staff.

View our Inclusion and Belonging pages for more information.

As part of our recruitment policy our candidates are subject to pre-employment screening checks. The Employee Screening Process includes DBS screening, adverse media checks, financial screening, and will also involve verification of employment history, your right to work in the UK and any relevant qualifications and memberships. If you would like further information around this, at this stage, please get in touch with our recruitment team (early.careers@michelmores.com)

Do you sponsor visas for international candidates?

All employees must have a legal right to work in the UK in order to undertake any UK based employment. British and Irish citizens currently have an automatic right to work in the UK. All other citizens must have a UK visa or settled status in the UK. Please provide us with full details of your immigration status and, where appropriate, how you intend to qualify for a UK visa so that we can consider whether or not it is possible for us to progress your application. We will look at each application on a case-by-case basis. Any offer will be conditional upon your right to work in the UK.

There are minimum salary and skill requirements that need to be met to be eligible for a sponsored visa. Full details on restrictions including course completion requirements can be found on the Home Office website. UK Immigration Rules are subject to change with little or no notice.

Potential sponsorship options are subject to UK immigration policies and any corresponding reviews. Michelmores cannot make any guarantee that you will be eligible for sponsorship. Michelmores keeps its approach under review in line with new government guidance, as it is published.

Please also be aware that should any subsequent changes to the UK immigration rules affect the viability of your application before your start date, we reserve the right to change how we process applications, in line with the new regulations. Once we become aware of any changes we will let you know at the earliest possible opportunity.