I am one of the first Solicitor Apprentices at Lewis Silkin, joining the firm in September 2020.
I started my 6-year Solicitor Apprenticeship straight after college at 18 years old, having studied Sports Science, Psychology and Sociology. I have always had an interest in Law from a young age and believed that the apprenticeship route was the best fit for me.
During my experience with Lewis Silkin to-date, I have gained experience in the Corporate team, Intellectual Property team, Employment team and Immigration team.
Corporate
Whilst in my Corporate seat, I gained skills in legal research and carried out administrative support work for corporate transactions.
Intellectual Property
During my one-year Intellectual Property seat, I familiarised myself with copyright and trademark laws. On top of this, I developed my ability to use the firm’s efficiency tools to streamline work tasks within the team. I also further developed my legal researching skills.
Employment
I spent 18 months with the Employment team, where I developed my legal drafting skills on witness statements and attendance notes. I attended disciplinary, grievance and UK Works Council meetings, providing nonverbatim accounts of the meetings for our client. I also gained knowledge on legislation regarding unfair dismissal and racial and sexual discrimination. Additionally, I often contacted the Tribunal to book counsel and submit applications.
Immigration
I am currently in the Immigration team, where I am heavily involved in the BRP handling process for clients. I also undertake legal research for the Practice Development Lawyers, draft articles on current affairs in the Immigration law field and attend Working Group meetings of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association.
As well as gaining practical experience at Lewis Silkin, I am studying at BPP University for my Bachelor of Laws and end point assessment (EPA). After receiving my degree at the end of my fourth year, in 2024, I will go on to studying for my SQE 1 and 2 exams (EPA) for the last two years of my apprenticeship.