Legal Apprentice Review
at Burges Salmon LLP
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
Bristol
Review Submitted: April 2021
Overall Rating
4.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
I am a second-year legal apprentice. My role involves daily contact with people in my department from all levels of other apprentices to partners. I get the opportunity to work on lots of different projects and really feel part of the team. The main projects I have been involved in this year are: drafting advice notes for clients, attending client calls, liaising directly with clients for documents, drafting and checking contracts, legal research.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
The legal apprenticeship programme at Burges Salmon LLP is excellent. You are supported by a team of mentors, supervisors, people team (HR) contacts and lawyers in your department. Knowing exactly who you can turn too, when you have an issue or something you'd like to discuss goes such a long way towards the supportive, collaborative and inclusive culture at the firm.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes. There is a really supportive culture at the firm where all juniors are encouraged to challenge themselves and learn something new. Having this support in place is excellent. I have mainly developed these skills so far in the apprenticeship: people skills, legal drafting skills, organizational skills, time-recording skills, written and oral communication skills.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The hands-on legal apprenticeship programme at work is fantastic. I really feel valued, there is complete transparency with the salaries for all apprentices which is great for future planning. My supervisors and the people team (HR) are always keen to support us and have worked hard to raise awareness of the apprenticeship programme and keeping study days separate from work so that we can really focus on studying. BPP, which is the university provider, on the other hand, can be quite difficult to navigate. There are lots of documents in lots of different platforms. However, our apprenticeship manager is lovely and always keen to help which makes this process much easier.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Support is excellent. I have regular calls with my people team contact, who is great and always asks about my experience and the kind of work I am getting involved in. There are lots of other people, like apprentice champions in departments who ensure you get to try your hand at the work you are interested in and act as mentors generally.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
BPP is my training provider. The apprenticeship manager is fantastic and very helpful. I find the materials for our degree difficult to locate, as all documents reference all years in the legal apprenticeship (year 1 - 7) which can be really confusing. The quality of the lectures really depends on the lecturers. Some lecturers can be really un-engaging, dismissive and uninterested which can make the lectures a complete chore to attend. The lectures are also 2 hours, which is far too long and not necessary. It's a shame that BPP doesn't let us switch lecturers because it would really help with engagement and our performance.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
This really depends on the modules. The legal modules (like land, contract and commercial practice) can be relevant at some points. It is gratifying to learn something academic one day and then apply it at work the next. I think its quite common to find however that academic principles of law are different in practice.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Yes lots! Even in virtual times. There's lots of charity events to get involved with (charity cookbook, running races, fundraising events etc). There's departmental socials and after work drinks (in a non-covid world!). Its quite easy to get to know people in the firm too. The firm also holds firmwide events which are fantastic, filled with music and delicious food. The summer party was a highlight for many!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Burges Salmon LLP to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Excellent place to work. The culture is really supportive, and there's lots of transparency about career progression and salaries. Most lawyers are really friendly too and always happy for us to ask questions and even schedule coffee meetings! Burges Salmon really stood out to me for their culture and ethos.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Burges Salmon LLP?
Take your time with the online application form. It took me ages .... but it was so worth it! It can be tricky and time-consuming but its all part of the process. Do your research as well, if you're interested in working for a commercial firm, know exactly why! Burges Salmon prides itself on the high quality work they do, so it is essential you know their specialisms, sectors, and culture.
