Apprentice Paralegal Review
at Irwin Mitchell
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Legal/Law
Birmingham
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
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
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
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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
My role changes on a day to day basis. However, it typically consists assisting other fee earners with their case load, for example helping with drafting legal documents and communicating with clients, counsel, experts, courts and other lawyers. I have weekly meetings with my manager to catch up on my work load, this gives me the chance to request more work or mention any concerns I have.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy the programme, I have a great team supporting me, and my manager ensures that I am comfortable in my role, whether that be through vigorously explaining new tasks to me or making sure my workload is within my capacity. The programme has provided me with great opportunities to meet new people and travel to new places.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
When I began my apprenticeship at IM, I had low confidence in my communication skills. Since starting, my communication has gone from strength to strength, from being exposed to communicating with several different parties. I have also developed my time management skills, as a result of working out what is best for me, workshops provided my IM and talking to colleagues for ideas.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The programme is very well organised and structured. I have one day a week set aside for study and the remaining days are spent working. I have the flexibility to move my study day should I have other commitments, alternatively i can choose to half my study day over two days should it be necessary.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer gives me great support, whether that be in regards to my work or my own well being. My team is great in supporting me in my work, and since beginning at IM I have gone through several workshops designed to help with my wellbeing, for example my most recent being 'The art of saying no'
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider is very helpful, I have regular catch ups with my coach to check how I am doing and also to voice any concerns. Alternatively, my coach is always helpful should I have any issues at any other time. I also have regular workshops to go over the work I am doing.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The work I complete in my qualification often tends to overlap with my role, a large portion of the qualification surrounds issues such as problem solving, which assists me in my role. The legal section in the qualification also overlaps with my role at times, particularly in the tort law area.
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
My work provides several extra-curricular activities, for example there are sports teams, social media groups and junior lawyer groups which meet monthly, this is great to meet other people around the same age who are in a similar position. We also have different networking events which allow us to meet other people.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Irwin Mitchell to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend IM as a firm, because it is a friendly workplace environment who not only looks out for its clients but its employees. Since starting here, I have felt supported by my colleagues and manager at all times, not just in my work but in my qualification as well.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Irwin Mitchell?
In applying for an apprenticeship at IM, the main tip I would give is to be yourself. In the interview stage, the interviewers are not only looking at your skills and qualifications, but who you are as a person. Also make sure to do your research on the firm and team you are applying for!
