Mayer Brown first City firm to introduce 'Articled Apprenticeship'

Sep 08, 2015

Written By Sofia Gymer, Editor, AllAboutLaw.co.uk

Mayer Brown has become the first law firm in the City of London to embrace The University of Law’s (ULaw) exciting new legal apprenticeship scheme.

From 7th September 2015, the firm will welcome Rosie Ahmadi and David Elikwu to its ranks, as they embark upon the innovative six-year ‘Articled Apprenticeship’ programme.

The programme is designed for those who want to pursue a legal career, but do not want to, or cannot, commit to full time study. Employed by Mayer Brown, the students will study part-time at ULaw’s Bloomsbury campus while working at the firm.

This game-changing development reflects the widely held desire to increase access to and increase diversity within the profession.

The programme is structured as a four-year part-time LLB Hons Law Degree followed by the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Professional Skills Course (PSC), which will be completed in the final two years.

The apprentices will spend the first 12-18 months rotating within Mayer Brown’s Business Services departments (including Risk and Compliance, Legal Training and the Information Centre) in order to gain in depth knowledge of how the firm operates. Only then will they transfer to its legal departments.

Annette Sheridan, Global Chief HR Officer at Mayer Brown, said: "The calibre of applicants who put themselves forward for this apprenticeship was extremely high, therefore we decided to offer a legal apprenticeship to two people.”

“I am delighted to welcome our inaugural apprentices — Rosie and David — to the firm and I look forward to watching their progress as they develop their future careers. The Articled Apprenticeship gives talented people like them, who have decided against full-time study, a credible alternative to qualification as a solicitor."

Apprentices will begin on a starting salary of £18,000, which will increase as they become more qualified and contribute increasingly to the work of the firm.

Although open for all to apply, due to the academic challenge of the programme and workload, Mayer Brown looks for candidates with AAB at 'A' level (or equivalent) and, of course, A-C in GCSE Maths and English.

They describe ideal candidates as “well-rounded, innovative individuals who can demonstrate a drive for results, good verbal and written communication skills, and an ability to analyse, with good judgement and excellent interpersonal skills”.

If this sounds like it could be you, then keep an eye out. Applications for the next legal apprenticeship open in January 2016!

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