Founded in 2016 by Caroline Sutherland, a lawyer with over 30 years of experience at leading city law firms, Sutherland & Co Law offers distinctive legal services to both individuals and businesses. Known for their friendly, modern and open approach, the firm specialises in residential conveyancing, commercial property, wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney, landlord investor services and litigation.
The challenge: Scaling expertise without compromising quality
As the firm’s commercial department expanded rapidly, team members found themselves stretched across client matters, business development and management responsibilities. Hiring experienced solicitors and paralegals to meet immediate needs proved costly, time-consuming and often misaligned with the firm’s culture.
Sutherland & Co Law recognised that sustainable growth required more than filling roles; it demanded a strategic talent pipeline capable of supporting both current operations and future leadership. Traditional recruitment alone could not deliver the consistency, quality or cultural alignment essential to the firm’s success.
The solution: A structured apprenticeship pathway
To address this, Sutherland & Co Law partnered with Damar Training and embedded apprenticeships at the heart of their growth strategy. They developed a structured pathway starting with entry-level Business Administration Apprenticeships, progressing to Paralegal qualifications, CILEX credentials and ultimately, Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeships.
This model combined:
- Expert training from Damar, through workshops and online resources tailored to legal apprentices
- Hands-on mentorship from Caroline and the executive team, allowing apprentices to apply learning in real-world client scenarios from day one.
The result was not merely filling positions but cultivating legal professionals deeply familiar with the firm’s values, client service philosophy and operational standards.
Success stories
Bella Sokell: From retail to residential conveyancing
Joining the Sutherland & Co Law team in 2024 with no prior office experience, Bella Sokell began a Business Administration Apprenticeship supporting a small, two-person residential conveyancing team during a period of significant growth.
Reflecting on her early contribution, HR and Marketing Manager Teresa Barnett shared: “Bella quickly demonstrated her enthusiasm, adaptability and commitment to developing a career in law. She has made a substantial contribution to the team, managing high volumes of calls, providing excellent client-facing service and overseeing post-completion processes.”
Over time, Bella’s confidence and capabilities continued to grow, particularly in her communication, organisation and planning skills. Her willingness to learn from others, embrace feedback and take on new challenges further strengthened her impact within the business.
As her Damar coach, Andi Eccles, observed: “Bella’s confidence, increased articulate communication skills and eye for detail are the most noticeable skills Bella has developed during her apprenticeship. Her openness to learn from others, use constructive feedback, enthusiasm to do more and being open to workplace opportunity meant that Bella’s contribution to Sutherland & Co Law has been outstanding.”
In March 2026, Bella achieved a distinction in her end-point assessment and was praised for her “exceptional interview” and project, demonstrating a clear and positive impact on the productivity and efficiency of Sutherland & Co Law’s digital presence.
The impact: Transforming individuals and the firm
Since the programme’s launch in 2018 twelve apprentices have progressed through various stages of their legal careers and seven apprentices remain with the firm, having begun as business administration apprentices.
The programme has strengthened the firm’s professional capacity, especially in the commercial department, enabling Sutherland & Co Law to expand without compromising quality or cultural fit. For the apprentices, it has created life-changing opportunities. Solicitor apprentices, for example, might not have entered legal careers without this pathway but are now developing into well-rounded professionals with both technical expertise and essential soft skills.
Looking forward: Securing the firm’s future
Apprenticeships are now a core business strategy for Sutherland & Co Law. By providing a clear career progression from administration to solicitor-level qualifications, the firm ensures:
- A sustainable talent pipeline aligned with its values
- Consistent high-quality service for clients
- Attraction of ambitious individuals seeking alternatives to traditional university routes.
This approach not only secures the firm’s operational capacity but also strengthens succession planning, enabling entry-level talent to develop into future leaders.
Key Takeaways
- Apprenticeships as growth strategy: Integrating talent development into core business planning enables sustainable expansion without sacrificing quality
- Alternative pathways to legal careers: Apprenticeships unlock potential in individuals who may not follow traditional education routes
- Succession through internal development: Developing talent in-house ensures cultural alignment and reduces recruitment risks
- Executive potential at entry level: Structured mentorship enables apprentices to grow into leadership roles
- Strategic partnerships amplify impact: Collaboration with a specialist provider like Damar ensures apprentices gain high-quality, complementary knowledge alongside practical experience.
Sutherland & Co Law demonstrates that with vision, strategy and structured development, apprenticeships can transform both people and organisations, creating a resilient, skilled and culturally aligned workforce ready to drive long-term success.