Solicitor Apprenticeship

We recruit two Solicitor Apprentices each year to join our London office in August or September.

A six year programme whereby aspiring lawyers can gain hands-on experience and study at the same time to qualify as a solicitor.

What’s involved

A structured, six year Solicitor Apprenticeship programme to help you reach your potential.

You will have the chance to learn and work at the same time, building on the knowledge gained in your studies through having hands-on experience in a global, collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.

You will be supported before the programme starts with a comprehensive onboarding and induction schedule.

During the programme you will have:

a dedicated supervisor in each seat,
a skills coach to support with your studies,
points of contact in the Early Careers team, and
seats in business services and legal teams.

What we look for

We look for Solicitor Apprentices who are interested in a career in commercial law in an international law firm, who are pragmatic, motivated to work hard, to make the most of their studies and who are eager to learn from every opportunity.

We also look for those who have an interest in our industry sectors, but you don’t need any technical knowledge of our sectors – we can teach you that.

Apply now Recruitment process FAQs

What’s involved

Completing LLB and SQE (Part 1 & 2)

Our Solicitor Apprentices will complete their law degree in Legal Practice and Skills (LLB) at the University of Law for the first four years and then, will continue to complete their SQE part 1 and part 2, all while working.

Six year programme

The first one and a half years of the programme focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of how law firms operate by spending time in some of our business services teams.

From halfway through year two, time is spent in legal seats and then from the end of year four Solicitor Apprentices merge on to our Training Contract programme.

Combined working and studying

Solicitor Apprentices will study alongside other apprentices from other firms. They will spend one day studying, virtually, at the University of Law, and four days working, until the end of the programme.

Secondments

There will be an opportunity to experience an international or client secondment in year four of the programme.

Your six year journey

As one of our Solicitor Apprentices you will spend the first 18 months in three core business services teams that work closely with our solicitors, helping you settle into life at a law firm and understand the ‘business of law’.

You then move into your first fee-earning “seats” for one year each, gaining experience in two Industry Groups (usually Aerospace and Shipping), followed by a guaranteed secondment to one of our international offices.

Current locations include Singapore, Dubai, Shanghai, Piraeus, Geneva, Monaco, Paris, and Hong Kong, although new locations may become available.

After this, you will join the Training Contract programme and consult with the Early Careers team on your remaining seat preferences.

International Secondments FAQs

One of the things I enjoy most about the solicitor apprenticeship is the variety. In my current Risk and Compliance seat, I’ve been involved in reviewing and updating firm policies, carrying out legal and regulatory research, and supporting compliance-related projects.

As apprentices rotate seats regularly, the work is varied. I’ve previously been involved in drafting, research, presentations, marketing campaigns, firm communications and client pitching. The training is hands-on, and apprentices are encouraged to get involved and take ownership from an early stage.

What has stood out most to me is how approachable and supportive people are, as well as the level of responsibility apprentices receive early on. Supervisors are very good at protecting study days, making it easier to balance work and university commitments as you progress through different seats.

Aisha Blissett

Solicitor Apprentice, London

As an apprentice in the Aerospace team, I’ve been involved in a wide range of work under the UK261 and MC99 legal frameworks. This can vary from passenger injury and lost baggage claims to delay compensation, ensuring that no two cases are ever the same.

One of the highlights of my apprenticeship has been the level of responsibility I’ve been given. The team is very good at providing autonomy and trust, and I’ve even had the opportunity to manage a UK261 case myself with support and supervision from my supervisor.

What stands out most to me is HFW’s non-hierarchical culture. You can approach anyone in the team, ask questions and get involved in different areas of work. My supervisors and the wider team are also extremely supportive of my studies, ensuring workloads remain manageable around exams and key university commitments.

Ollie Youngman

Solicitor Apprentice, London

Recruitment requirements

To apply to us, you should:

Be a year 13 student, due to complete their A-Level studies by the Summer of the year in which the programme starts.
Have seven GCSEs including Maths and English, or equivalent at Grade C/4 or above.
Be on track to, or have achieved BBB (120 UCAS tariff points) at A-Level, 32 IB points, or equivalent, although we will consider all applications as a whole, and we will also consider extenuating/mitigating circumstances.

Please note, we are unable to accept applications from anyone who has commenced their second year of a university undergraduate degree.

Benefits

Solicitor Apprentices join on a salary of £27,000.
25 days of paid leave per year.
Flexible (optional) benefits including gym membership (Gymflex), ClassPass, cycle to work scheme, taste card, travel and home insurance, dental insurance, Give As you Earn.
Group life cover, personal accident insurance and income protection.
Option to apply for subsidised membership of a private medical insurance scheme through BUPA.
Onsite massages.
Contributory pension.
Optional season ticket loan.
Private GP scheme.
Tax free childcare scheme and parental transition coaching.
Opportunity to access discounts and attend events hosted by the London office building, which HFW staff can participate in.

How to apply

Complete an application form
Attend a virtual assessment centre
First round interviews with HR
Final round interviews with two of our Associates

Places are filled on a rolling basis so we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Apply now Recruitment process FAQs