Tyler

Tyler Vint – Solicitor Apprentice

Tyler is a solicitor apprentice at an international law firm, having progressed from the paralegal and business admin apprenticeship programmes. In this case study, she tells us about her experiences so far and also gives some great advice for others considering this pathway.

Why did you choose to do the solicitor apprenticeship?

I had applied for, and been accepted, to universities to study law, but the cost implications were a big worry for me, coming from a long-term unemployed single parent household. I therefore initially chose to join my firm as an administration assistant on a business admin apprenticeship after I completed my A-levels, with a view to hopefully working towards an alternative route into law. I was then supported by the firm to complete the level 3 paralegal apprenticeship with Damar and I knew then that I wanted to continue to pursue qualification as a solicitor. The solicitor apprenticeship meant that I could continue to work towards qualification debt-free, whilst working at an international law firm learning from, and being supported by, talented qualified solicitors. 

What do you think are the advantages of qualifying through an apprenticeship as opposed to more traditional pathways? 

The practical experience is invaluable. I have been able to study the theory alongside working which has given me the opportunity to put my learning into practice and gain a better understanding.  The apprenticeship also helps to develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork and time management and put these into practice from very early on in your career. In addition, a big draw of the apprenticeship is that earning a salary while learning helps provide apprentices with financial stability and security without the dread of accruing student debt!

What have you learned and how has the apprenticeship impacted on you so far?

I have learnt a lot about the law through my studies and how it works in practice through my job role. I have also learnt a lot about myself, as well as being able to develop both personally and professionally. By studying one day a week and working in a very busy environment for the other four days, I have become organised, adaptable and self-motivated. I would say that the solicitor apprenticeship is a very challenging but extremely rewarding experience.

What impact do you think you’ve had on your organisation during your apprenticeship?

As one of the first legal apprentices at my firm, I have been able to help demonstrate that the solicitor apprenticeship can work as an alternative but equivalent route into law. I have also been able to utilise my experience to feed into the implementation and improvement of the legal apprenticeship programme across the firm, as well as mentor the newer legal apprentices to help them develop and get the most out of the process. Furthermore, I have also had the opportunity to promote the apprenticeship route on behalf of my firm and more generally as part of various social mobility initiatives.

How have you found the apprenticeship and working with Damar Training and the BARBRI learning platform so far? 

Admittedly it was difficult to adjust to the workload with both Damar and BARBRI running alongside each other at first. However, once I got to grips with how everything worked and what was a required of me every week, I was soon able to get into the swing of things and make good progress. The six-weekly meetings with the Damar coach are a great way of staying on track and evaluating performance and progression. Damar are always willing to take feedback on board and adjust accordingly to best support apprentices. The BARBRI SQE preparation course materials are fantastic and take the form of books, recorded lectures and practice questions, so there is something for every kind of learner.

What are your future career plans?

I would like to qualify as a solicitor and continue to learn and progress within my chosen area of law. I would also like to continue to promote the apprenticeship route to younger people interested in a legal career.

What advice would you give to other people considering the apprenticeship?

Just go for it! It’s by no means an easy journey and it does take long-term commitment, but ultimately it’s a fantastic route into law and one that everyone considering entering a legal career should consider. I’ve had a very positive experience throughout my apprenticeship and I couldn’t recommend it enough to others.

What advice would you give to new solicitor apprentices commencing their programme in order to maximise their chances of success?

Make sure to jump in head-first and make the most of every opportunity. You’ve got to allow yourself to be out of your comfort zone to try new things and not worry too much about getting things wrong – just give everything your best shot and learn from your mistakes. Most importantly, having a solid support network will really make a difference along the way so seek support from your family, friends, colleagues and mentors when you need it!