Solicitor Apprenticeship Review
at Mishcon de Reya
Degree Apprenticeship
London
Review Submitted: August 2023
Overall Rating
4.8 /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
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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 as a solicitor apprentice is very varied on a day-by-day basis. I actively engage with different fee earners in my team each day and work on different transactions taking place within the team. Whilst fee-earning legal work and studies take up the majority of my working week, I also participate in lots of pro-bono projects, social events and volunteering activities which are offered by the firm.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Overall, I love my programme and the decision I made to complete an apprenticeship rather than going to University. My work has become a home away from home. Sure, partly because you spend such a large chunk of time at work, but more because I feel safe and happy at work, am surrounded by inspiring, intelligent people who genuinely care about my personal and professional development and am able to have fun with.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt an abundance of new skills since starting my apprenticeship. Lots of these have been hard skills which directly relate to the legal work I am involved with in each of the legal departments I have worked in, but many have been soft skills that I doubt I would have acquired at University, such as networking (both formally and informally) and managing expectations and personal workloads.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My programme is very well organised. It has a clear simple structure that when followed allows me to progress and work at a sustainable rate. With University, my year is broken down into three semesters, in which I study one topic per semester, i.e. Tort law and I am given one day a week to study (20%). At work, I rotate teams each year, for the first four years and then rotate every six months during the final two years of my course, so I will have experience in eight different teams before qualification. I work in those teams 4 days a week (80%).
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The support is constant but not overbearing. My employer has a dedicated team devoted to mine, and the other apprentice's experience and development. There is lots on offer in terms of support, both academically and regarding general wellbeing. I would say that there is a level of independence as I like to seek out support only when it is needed, but the Early Careers team do regularly check in with me to ensure everything is on track.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I feel very lucky that my employer provides lots of support regarding my qualifications as they understand how important they are to my apprenticeship and future legal career. The firm are very conscious to provide us with additional study leave around the time of our University exams and regularly check in with our University provider to ensure that our studies are on track.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
My law degree certainly gives me a base level understanding of the law from an academic perspective. The skills I have acquired when studying can then be applied in my day-to-day role at work. An example being when I am asked to conduct legal research, I use very similar techniques as when researching for a legal research project for University.
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
I feel there have been an abundance of activities which simply having said 'yes' or put myself forward for, I have been able to attend. Simply there are too many individual events to list but some of the key activities I have been involved with include sports events, such as tennis and rounders, charity events, providing pro bono legal advice, endless networking events (both internal and external) and also the London Legal Walk.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Mishcon de Reya to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The main reason I would recommend Mishcon is because of its inclusive culture. Sure, you can list all of its success as a law firm representing a wide range of clients, who often are high net-worth, multi-jurisdictional and involved with complex matters. All of which makes the firm look very good and attractive on paper, but regardless of all the glamour of the firm, without a good culture, would mean nothing for its employees. This to me is why Mishcon stands out to me; since my first day I have felt welcome, supported, safe and included. I have been able to thrive working in such a diverse, dynamic and constantly evolving workspace.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mishcon de Reya?
I would encourage anyone wanting to apply to Mishcon to make sure that they are fully prepared, well in advance of making an application. You will need to make it clear that you know about the firm and the work it is involved with. It will need to be clear that you have a genuine interest to work here. Equally, be sure to show your induvial personality when applying and talk about your own interests and hobbies as a good work-life balance should never be underestimated!
