Apprenticeships allow law firms to support talented young people with a desire to begin their career in law.
If you want to pursue a legal career but the university route isn’t for you, a legal apprenticeship is a fantastic alternative.
Legal apprenticeships are routes into the legal profession that involve working and studying concurrently. Many of our member law firms offer apprenticeship opportunities. Below you will find details for those that are open for applications now or in the coming months.
Most apprenticeships start in September, with application windows early in the year, so if there are no current opportunities below, see which firms will have future opportunities for a September 2026 start.
Osborne Clarke
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme is a fantastic opportunity to gain a law degree (LLB) and qualify as a solicitor whilst working in a leading international legal practice.
The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a 6 year level 7 programme, which combines practical work-based learning with formal study towards an LLB (Hons) in Legal Practice at BPP University Law School (BPP).
Applications close: Friday 14 March 2025
A&O Shearman
We believe talented and ambitious people will always thrive with the right investment and support. With our Solicitor Apprenticeship programme, we are giving you the opportunity to gain the qualifications and experience to excel in a leading law firm, while earning a salary of £28,000 in the first year of your apprenticeship (increasing every year).
Across the six-year programme you will gain experience across our legal departments including time in our Banking, Corporate, International Capital Markets and Litigation Departments. Each year, you’ll gain a wide variety of experience but with the security of a training principal to guide you, with further opportunities for secondments in years 5 and 6.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Ashurst
Ashurst’s structured Solicitor Apprenticeship programme gives you the opportunity to kick-start your career as a solicitor by gaining hands-on legal work experience whilst earning a salary, alongside studying part time with The University of Law.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Broadfield
At Broadfield, we strive to be your trusted advisors in navigating the complexities of law across various sectors and jurisdictions. As a transformative international law firm, we are setting new standards in the middle market with exceptional quality at our forefront.
On our six year Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship programme you can become a qualified solicitor by completing a law degree and passing the Solicitors Qualifying Exams, with Broadfield covering all of your tuition and assessment fees.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Bird & Bird
Bird & Bird’s Solicitor Apprenticeship is a Level 7 qualification combining study with work to allow you to qualify as a solicitor without incurring student debt often associated with attending university. You’ll learn on-the-job at our London office, alongside a small cohort of solicitor apprentices, while studying for one day a week at the University of Law to obtain an LLB Law degree and complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). At the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll be a qualified solicitor.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
CMS
On our six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship programme, you will be enrolled onto a law degree in Legal Practice and Skills (LLB) at the University of Law at a location appropriate to your apprenticeship. Following successful completion of your LLB you will sit your Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE). One day per week will be dedicated to your study, with the remainder of your week spent working at CMS.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Dentons
As a Dentons Solicitor Apprentice, you will embark on a unique journey into commercial law. Over the six year programme, you will work towards your LLB university degree and Solicitor Qualifying Examinations with BPP. You will explore eight different practice areas or departments allowing you to hone a wide range of skills and discover your passion within the legal field. It’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and earn simultaneously. Your journey to becoming a solicitor starts here.
Current and recent schools leavers are eligible to apply.
Applications for Dentons’ September 2026 Solicitor Apprentices will open in the Autumn 2025. Our apprenticeships will be available in our London and Milton Keynes offices.
Farrer & Co
A solicitor apprenticeship at Farrer & Co is an exciting alternative to university, offering a unique opportunity to earn a salary while gaining practical legal experience and qualifying as a solicitor. This six-year Level 7 programme combines on-the-job training with structured academic study, equipping you with the skills and qualifications to excel in the legal profession.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Fladgate
We will be offering up to 5 Solicitor Apprenticeship positions. This combines practical work based learning with formal study at the University of Law.
The solicitor apprenticeship is a six year programme working alongside lawyers in our core fee earning departments, whilst simultaneously working towards an LLB hons with The University of Law. In year 5 and 6 you will join our trainee cohort whilst attaining your SQE qualification, in order to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales. You will start at an administrator level, and your work will increase in complexity as you gain experience.
We recruit apprentices every two years, the next round of applications will be opening in 2025 for an apprenticeship commencing in 2026.
Freshfields
We launched our first solicitor apprenticeships from September 2025, offering driven, curious and resilient solicitor apprentices the opportunity to kick-start their legal career with us. Over six years, you will study at one of the UK’s leading law schools, BPP, alongside getting hands-on, commercial work experience to enhance your learning and to build the necessary skills to become a successful commercial solicitor.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Irwin Mitchell
Our Solicitor Apprenticeship lets you train to become a solicitor and get valuable experience at a top UK law firm – all while earning a salary. You’ll be fully qualified at the end of six years with a real head start on a legal career. During the apprenticeship, you’ll get a mix of practical, work-based learning and formal academic study. You’ll gain valuable, real-life experience in the UK’s largest full service law firm, enhancing your legal and commercial understanding and growing your confidence in a work environment.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
HFW
A six-year programme whereby aspiring lawyers can gain ‘hands-on’ experience and study at the same time to qualify as a solicitor. We are looking to recruit two Apprentices to start with the firm in August/September each year.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Hogan Lovells
You’ll start your journey to becoming an exceptional lawyer by joining our six year programme of work and study. You will spend one day per week at university, studying for your degree and then legal qualification (SQE) and four days putting the theory into practice in the office.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Lewis Silkin
Solicitor Apprentices complete the Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship. They will also work towards an LLB (Hons) and Legal Practice.
Apprentices sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations during the six-year programme. Assuming they pass all assessments, apprentices will qualify as a Solicitor in England and Wales at the end of the six-year scheme.
Applications for our September 2026 Solicitor Apprentices will open in the Autumn of 2025. The apprenticeships will be available in our London office.
Norton Rose
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to develop to their full potential, which is why we have launched our 6 year Apprenticeship Programme in our London office. Whether university isn’t the right choice for you or you are keen to start working straight away, our Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme gives you to a great alternative route to qualify as a Solicitor.
Application dates for 2026 to be confirmed.
Slaughter and May
Our six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme is designed for bright and motivated school leavers interested in a career in commercial law, and will offer you the breadth of experience and training needed to become a multi-specialist lawyer, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters. .
Applications for our 2026 programme will open in October 2025.
Stephenson Harwood
Our solicitor apprenticeship offers you an exciting opportunity to work on deals with international clients while also studying and working towards a level 7 solicitor apprenticeship standard.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Trowers & Hamlins
We created a different route into our firm because we believe in making the legal profession an even playing field. One where success is not based on someone’s background, but on their unique perspectives, drive and work ethic.
If you’re considering a career in law but aren’t sure where to start, or if you’ve just begun to explore the idea of becoming a solicitor, this opportunity is for you.
During the first four years of the programme, you will complete your law degree. In the final two years, you will complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, all while being exposed to a wide variety of departments. You’ll be involved in real work, collaborating closely with your colleagues at all levels and getting a feel for the welcoming and supportive Trowers & Hamlins culture.
Application dates for 2026 are to be confirmed.
Weightmans
Our solicitor degree apprenticeship is an alternative to full time university, and those student loans and fees! The programme is for aspiring solicitors with a passion for law who have completed, or are in the process of completing, their A-levels.
A solicitor apprenticeship is a paid role which includes a six-year training programme and leads to qualification as solicitor upon completion. You will gain a level 7 apprenticeship award, a qualifying law degree (LLB) and the solicitors qualifying examinations (SQE), alongside work experience.
Applications will reopen in Autumn 2025.
