Full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau has welcomed its first-ever cohort of solicitor apprentices, who have now embarked on a six-year journey to becoming qualified lawyers.
Joining the firm are Jess Sutton in construction, Amy Pressley in social housing and Isabelle Richardson in residential development, all based in Birmingham. In Nottingham, Cadie Kearney and Paola Nlemchi have joined the commercial property team.
Designed to open up alternative routes into law, Shakespeare Martineau’s solicitor apprenticeship programme enables aspiring lawyers to balance practical legal work with academic study. Over the six-year course, apprentices spend four days each week working with colleagues on live matters for clients, rotating between practice groups to gain insight into the firm’s full range of services.
One day each week is dedicated to studying towards an LLB (Hons) Law and Legal Practice and Solicitor Level 7 Apprenticeship, which is fully funded by the firm. Victoria Tester, managing director at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our first-ever solicitor apprentices to the firm and we’re committed to ensuring they receive the very best start to their legal careers.
“They’re all extremely talented individuals and I have no doubt they’ll each be an asset to their teams. We firmly believe in investing in our people to ensure we have the skills and talent necessary to drive the firm’s future organic growth.
“I look forward to watching them grow and develop as lawyers in their time with us, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them.” Shakespeare Martineau offers multiple routes to qualification, including traditional training contracts, SQE graduate apprenticeships, self-funded SQE pathways, CILEx options and solicitor apprenticeships.
There is no minimum degree requirement for all routes – the firm assesses candidates based on their potential and suitability for the role, rather than solely on academic qualifications. Providing legal advice for life and business, the firm’s purpose is clear – to unlock potential for good.
Working with organisations of all sizes, the firm delivers a broad range of specialist legal services and has expertise across multiple areas, including agriculture, banking and finance, charities, education, energy, healthcare, social housing and real estate. Shakespeare Martineau also provides services for families and private clients.
Part of top 50 legal and professional services firm Ampa Group, Shakespeare Martineau is a certified B Corporation, meaning it has been verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. With more than 1,200 people, it has office hubs in Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester, London, Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln, Solihull, Sheffield, Southampton and Edinburgh.
