Dentons

University is not the right path for everyone, and that is perfectly fine. Our Solicitor Apprenticeship allows you to work towards your Law degree while gaining practical experience on the job—without accumulating student debt or taking out large loans. It is an excellent opportunity to learn, earn and build your career. This opportunity is intended for school leavers who have not yet started an undergraduate degree. The six-year programme aimed at school leavers combines eight seats of work-based learning and part-time study with BPP University. While on our apprenticeship you’ll work four days a week in the office. Throughout the six years you will work in eight different practice areas (departments), so you can develop a wide range of skills and decide what you would like to specialise in. During the apprenticeship you will also spend one day a week studying. You’ll take part in workshops and seminars and complete various assessments across the six years, all working towards completing your LLB Law degree. You will also study for and pass your legal qualification exams, ‘the SQE’ (Solicitors Qualifying Examination). This will take place during the last two years of your Solicitor Apprenticeship. Dentons is now in the 9th year of running our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme. We were pioneers as one of the first firms to introduce a programme, and to see our first Solicitor Apprentices qualify through the route in 2023. We are proud of our leading position, and have received legal sector recognition for our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme by being shortlisted for multiple awards in 2023/2024 including the Legal 500 ESG Awards, Women Influence & Power in Law Awards, ISE Awards, People in Law awards, and were awarded Excellence in Human Resource Innovation for the Legal Innovation Awards 2024. “I chose the apprenticeship route to avoid the debt! On the programme, I have been able to work on trailblazer cases and draft complex legal documents with support from highly experienced lawyers. This route has laid a solid foundation for me to thrive in a (hopefully!) successful legal career.” Ameena Ahmed, Solicitor Apprentice I would have to say being able to independently manage a key due diligence process for a client over a number of months; dealing with a large number of queries and interacting with a number of colleagues and clients in various jurisdictions, was certainly a professional highlight of my apprenticeship thus far. - Harith Ahmed, Solicitor Apprentice