Meet Will, our star Solicitor’s Apprentice. He first joined us for a week of work experience in August 2023, straight from Winstanley College. Will dove into the deep end with office banter, jumped in with questions, and showed a serious eagerness to learn. He fit in so well that we were all sad to see him go… and didn’t wait long before offering him a more permanent place on the team!
Will’s got a “day in the life” account of his experience here, so let’s hear from him on what it’s like to jump into the wild, wonderful world of law as a Solicitor’s Apprentice.
Will’s Take on His Week at Spencer Churchill
First impressions
Walking into Spencer Churchill for the first time, I was nervous – I’ll be honest. But right off the bat, I could tell that my perspective on law firms had been wrong. Picture an office with a four-day work week, a relaxed dress code, and a seriously strong company culture. I’d imagined suits, silence, and a whole lot of hierarchy, but it turns out, SC’s vibe is anything but pretentious. Everyone works hard but still manages to laugh, banter, and catch up on the latest gossip without missing a beat on client work. It’s a bit of a revelation!
Getting hands-on with clients
In just a few days, I sat in on enough client meetings to see the kind of genuine relationships everyone here builds with clients. They’d start each meeting by catching up on holidays or kids before diving into the work, making it all feel personal and surprisingly fun. This isn’t just business; it’s about building trust and connection, and honestly, I didn’t think client work could be like that.
Learning about solicitor apprenticeships
One meeting that week really stood out – a sit-down with SC’s manager, Alex. She went over different paths to becoming a solicitor and told me about the Solicitor’s Apprenticeship route. The idea of learning while earning (and skipping the debt that comes with university fees) stuck with me, so I kept in touch with Alex after my work experience ended.
After a few months (and probably more than a few nagging emails to Alex – sorry!), I found myself joining SC as their first Solicitor’s Apprentice. I’d just gotten my A-levels – three A’s. in Law, Business and Criminology.
Fast-forward to now
Now, I’m here full-time, managing real clients, learning a ton, and working a four-day week with Fridays reserved for online classes through BPP University. I love the variety – I get to manage my own clients while exploring different areas of law, thanks to our 360-degree approach to legal work.
And, let’s talk about the social side: from game nights and rounders matches to everyone dressing up as Shrek characters on Halloween, there’s always something fun happening. Best part? This December, we’re heading to Budapest for a three-day Christmas trip! Seriously, who else takes their team on a holiday for Christmas? SC does, that’s who!
A Day in the Life of a Solicitor’s Apprentice
The day starts at 6 a.m. for me. Waking up early isn’t always easy, but it’s nice to have a moment of quiet to prepare for the day ahead. By 7:45, I’m in the office, often one of the first, and I like that. The early morning feels less hectic, and I get a chance to chat with a few colleagues over coffee before diving into work. It’s become a nice part of the routine – kind of a “warm-up” before the real work starts!
8:00 a.m. – Starting the workday
At 8 a.m., the work officially begins. I check my inbox first thing to see if any emails have come in overnight that need my attention. There’s usually a mix of things: updates on cases, notifications, and sometimes a few pressing matters. Any high-priority emails get dealt with right away, and then I create a list of tasks to focus on for the day. This to-do list keeps me organised and helps me make sure I’m covering everything I need to.
Once my inbox is under control, I log into our CRM system, which is where we keep track of all client files and case details. The shared company mailbox is also part of my morning routine. More often than not, we’ll have new compensation offers in there. It’s a bit of a ritual at SC that whenever a new offer comes through, I shout, “We have an offer!” and everyone’s head pops up to see who the client is. It’s a little morale boost to have everyone clapping and cheering – and a nice reminder of the team’s support for each other. Then I log the offer into our tracking system, update the relevant files, and send everything over to the case handler so they can notify the client.
9:00 a.m. – Client updates and case management
After that, it’s time to check on my own client cases. Right now, I’m working with clients who have claims with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). I go through client files, checking our online portal for any updates on their claims. If any new information has come in, I log it into the system and reach out to third parties as needed. Often, I need to gather more information through a Data Subject Access Request (DSAR) if we’re waiting on documents from other organisations.
This part of the day is a good chance to focus on details. I make sure each client file is up to date, send out any necessary follow-up emails, and contact clients directly if there’s something we need from them. This back-and-forth with clients and the FSCS is ongoing, but it’s satisfying to see progress. Each small step is moving the case forward, even if it’s a gradual process.
10:30 a.m. – Tea break and mail sorting
By 10:30, it’s time for my second tea of the day. A quick break is a nice reset before the post arrives, which is usually a mix of physical mail for various cases – letters from clients, update s from the courts, or other legal documents. I scan each item into the system, make sure it’s filed in the right place, and pass the originals on to the correct handler. It’s a straightforward task, but it’s essential for keeping things running smoothly, and it makes it easy to find everything later when we’re working on specific cases.
11:00 a.m. – Reviewing new client files
Around 11, I set aside some focused time for reviewing new client files. I usually spend about two hours going through these in detail, starting with the background information on each case, relevant notes, and any documents that have come in so far. My goal is to get a clear picture of each client’s needs and what’s happened in the case up to this point. With new files, there’s a lot to take in, so I take detailed notes and highlight anything that might need following up.
After I’m up to speed, I call each new client to introduce myself as their file handler. These initial conversations are important for setting the tone and building a relationship with the client, so I make sure to listen closely and answer any questions they might have.
SC has a rule that any missed client calls should be returned within 24 hours, so I reassure clients that they’ll hear from us soon if they need anything. After our chat, I prepare a claim assessment based on our conversation, which I then send to my line manager for review.
1:00 p.m. – Lunch break with the team
We all take lunch from 1 to 2 p.m., which gives everyone a chance to relax together. It’s a nice part of the culture at SC to have this shared break; it encourages us to connect as a team and gives us all a mental break from the morning’s work. After a friendly race for the microwaves, we’ll talk about our day or have casual conversation about weekend plans or the latest shows we’re watching.
2:00 p.m. – Learning on the job
After lunch, I jump into a meeting with one of our legal team members who’s deep into drafting an Asset Purchase Agreement for a new client. This is my first time seeing asset purchase work up close, so it’s definitely an interesting dive into new territory. My colleague walks me through the background on this client and how they recently came onboard.
At Spencer Churchill, every new client starts off with an in-depth chat about their goals and what they’re hoping to achieve—no diving into the paperwork until we’re all on the same page. My colleague tells me how important this first stage is for really understanding what the client’s after.
On the call, she kicks things off on a friendly note, even chatting briefly about family life. It’s a nice touch that seems to help the client relax a bit. That’s one of the things I like about our approach here—we keep the conversation down-to-earth and skip the legal jargon unless we absolutely need it.
Once we get into the business talk, I’m taking notes on the client’s goals and timelines. After the call, I jot down a few tips I picked up from watching my colleague in action, knowing these are things I’ll probably use down the road.
3:00 p.m. – Another client meeting and a quick debrief
As soon as we finish with the asset purchase client, my colleague gets called into another meeting with a retainer client who needs a contract drafted. This client isn’t entirely sure what they need, but they have some specifics in mind. My colleague asks if I’d like to join, which I’m glad to do since it gives me a chance to see how different contracts are handled.
This client meeting is short but insightful. The client describes their concerns, and my colleague asks questions to clarify what kind of contract will meet their needs. She suggests a few options, explaining each one in plain terms, which the client seems to appreciate. After about ten minutes, we have a solution in mind, and we wrap up. My colleague explains afterward that sometimes what seems like a big issue can be resolved quickly if we know the client’s business well enough. For retainer clients, SC aims for a one-day turnaround on these types of requests, which keeps everyone happy and ensures we’re meeting client expectations.
3:30 p.m. – Wrapping up the mail and final inbox check
Around 3:30, I start preparing the day’s mail to be picked up. This includes franking each envelope, logging tracking numbers, and making sure everything is sorted correctly. I also do one more check of the shared inbox. If there are any new client offers, I log them, update the files, and notify the appropriate handlers. This final check of the day keeps things current and makes sure we’re ready to start fresh tomorrow.
4:00 p.m. – Shareholder agreement meeting
As the day winds down, a colleague invites me to sit in on a meeting with three new clients to discuss a Shareholder Agreement. This is new territory for me, so I’m curious to see how it all unfolds. The clients start by explaining what they’re looking for, though you can tell they’re not entirely sure about the specifics yet. My colleague steps in and walks them through a few different options, breaking down the pros and cons of each, which really helps them zero in on the best path forward.
The discussion takes a bit, but by the end, the clients seem much more confident about their next steps. My colleague wraps it up by promising to send over a draft by the next day, keeping up with SC’s commitment to quick turnarounds on client requests.
6:00 p.m. – Wrapping up the day
After the last meeting, I wrap up for the day. There’s a sense of accomplishment from seeing each task through, and I’m learning something new every day. As a Solicitor’s Apprentice, this hands-on experience is invaluable, and it’s giving me a deeper understanding of both legal practice and client service. For anyone considering the Solicitor Apprenticeship path, I’d say it’s definitely worth it – not only do I get practical experience, but I’m also part of a supportive team that’s genuinely invested in my growth.
