Linklaters is proud to be spearheading City Century, a City of London Law Society led initiative, bringing together 50 law firms to significantly increase the number of solicitor apprentices entering the City of London each year.
Instigated by Linklaters’ Firmwide Managing Partner, Paul Lewis, alongside leaders from five other spearhead firms – Allen & Overy, Eversheds Sutherland, Hogan Lovells, Norton Rose Fulbright and Osborne Clarke – the programme expects to more than double current solicitor apprenticeship numbers in the City.
The initiative facilitates knowledge sharing between law firms on establishing solicitor apprenticeship programmes and successfully opening up the route into the profession – enabling students to earn while they learn and bypass the costs of traditional university entry routes which can be a significant barrier to pursuing a career in law.
Linklaters introduced its Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme last year, as the firm continues to drive forward its commitment to broadening access to the legal sector. The firm will welcome eight solicitor apprentices onto the programme starting in London in September 2023.
Paul Lewis, Firmwide Managing Partner at Linklaters, commented:
“The cost of going to university and pursuing the traditional route to a career in law is unrealistic for many aspiring solicitors and is one of the biggest barriers for talent entering the City solicitors’ profession. I want us to help address this by opening up the solicitor apprenticeship route in the City. We’ve accelerated our own solicitor apprenticeship programme at Linklaters over the last few months and are working to scale-up this approach by starting the City Century collaboration.
Our Learning Director, Patrick McCann, together with Joanna Hughes, have been the brains, energy and passion behind making City Century happen. It has been a pleasure to watch them make this real – two great people doing great things that will have a lasting impact on many.
City law firms offer the most incredible solicitor careers. I knew nothing of City law growing up in Swansea or that it was a potential career path. I look back now at a career that has given me an opportunity to do work that makes the headlines, for brilliant clients and where I got to work with the really talented people. I want us to ensure that others have that opportunity, no matter what their background.”
Patrick McCann, Chair of City of London Law Society Training Committee and Learning Director at Linklaters, stated:
“When we spoke to 50 City law firms at the end of last year, it quickly became clear that the conversation was changing – to ‘let’s get this done now’ – a real sense of City firms wanting to create an appealing hiring message and do something special. With solicitor apprentices we are competing with other employers and universities to bring in the most talented 18-year-olds. Working together helps get it done.”
President of the Law Society of England and Wales, Lubna Shuja, said:
“Boosting social mobility is a key priority for the Law Society which has my whole-hearted support. Alternative routes into the profession, such as apprenticeships, help ensure the best talent from all socio-economic backgrounds can join, progress and succeed in a rewarding career. With careful planning and evaluation apprenticeships can provide opportunities for existing staff to upskill or help to develop talent in support services. It’s fantastic to see City law firms coming together to unlock fresh talent from all backgrounds to the benefit of individuals who choose this route and our globally leading sector.”
Find out more about City Century and the participating firms here.
