Solicitor Apprenticeships at Ashtons Legal
Choosing a career in law doesn’t always mean following the traditional university route. At Ashtons Legal, our Solicitor Apprenticeship offers a unique pathway to qualification. But what is the experience actually like?
Applications for September 2026 are now open. Please find application information here: Solicitor Apprenticeships: Application information
We sat down with our current apprentices to get the inside track on balancing work, study, and life at a leading regional firm.
Learn more about Solicitor Apprenticeships at Ashtons
Felicity Sparkes, Head of Learning, explains the route to qualification via our Apprenticeship scheme, with additional insight into the day-to-day from our current Apprentices, and application tips from our Talent Acquisition Adviser, Sally Bavester.
About Solicitor Apprenticeships at Ashtons
Our apprenticeships are not just about “admin” – they are about becoming a qualified solicitor.
- Hands-on experience: Spend 80% of your week working alongside experienced partners and solicitors on active legal matters.
- Fully funded education: Your degree, SQE training, and exams are completely paid for by the firm. No tuition fees, no student loans.
What work can you expect to do as a Solicitor Apprentice?
From your first year, you are a valued member of the team. Your day-to-day tasks will evolve as you grow, including:
- Drafting legal documents and contracts
- Conducting high-level legal research for active cases
- Attending client meetings and court hearings
- Building a professional portfolio of evidence for your qualification.
Interview with a Solicitor Apprentice: Sam Rutterford
Hear from Sam Rutterford about his route into Ashtons on a legal apprenticeship and his experience so far.
Q&A with a Solicitor Apprentice: Charlotte Welling
Read Charlotte’s experience of choosing an apprenticeship over university.
Applications for September 2026 are now open for both non-graduate and graduate applicants. Please complete the relevant application form by 11pm on Sunday 15 March.
What made you choose an apprenticeship over full-time university?
Before applying for the apprenticeship scheme, I worked as a paralegal at Ashtons and had therefore started to develop skills and traits that put me well placed to progress my legal career. The thought of going to university after being a paralegal felt like taking a step backwards.
I also identified that having the opportunity to actively work on matters as an apprentice will, in turn, aid my theoretical understanding of law and support my degree, and vice versa. I realised that both practical and theoretical learning work hand in hand, which is less prevalent at university.
Why did you choose Ashtons Legal over other firms?
Ashtons appealed to me because it is a full-service law firm with highly ranked regional and national departments. When I was applying for the apprenticeship, I was unsure which area of law I wanted to specialise in, so it was imperative that I find a firm that offered me the opportunity to delve into various departments, and Ashtons was the perfect fit.
If I were at a commercial law firm, I would limit myself, for example, by not engaging in family law or clinical negligence. You really are spoiled for choice here, and it is enticing as an aspiring solicitor.
What surprised you most about working at Ashtons Legal?
The responsibility given to apprentices is evident. Partners and qualified solicitors are keen to get us involved in their matters and delegate tasks to us, which would typically be given to more senior members of the firm. Seeing solicitors encourage us to get involved in matters, whether that be sitting in on meetings or calling clients, is refreshing and boosts our confidence, as well as developing our independence as future solicitors.
What support do you get as an apprentice at Ashtons Legal?
The firm understands that the apprenticeship can be quite taxing and requires a lot of juggling with our studying and responsibilities within the firm. We have one study day a week when we are not expected to complete work at the firm and can focus solely on our studies. Also, in the lead-up to exams, supervisors are made aware of our study schedules and are conscious not to overburden us with work.
Have you ever doubted your route — and what changed your mind?
With friends and the majority of my cohort at school heading to university to study for a degree, I naturally doubted whether I had made a mistake by choosing the unconventional route to qualifying as a solicitor.
However, reflecting on this over recent years, I realise that I undoubtedly made the correct decision in choosing a legal apprenticeship. Since starting at Ashtons, I have developed my professional network, been involved in many legal matters across various departments and regularly attended court, all whilst studying the law itself. Arguably, I will be better prepared for qualification than if I had chosen the conventional university route.
Interview with a Solicitor Apprentice: Milly Smith
Hear from Milly Smith about her reasons for choosing a solicitor apprenticeship and her experiences so far.
Why choose Ashtons?
We were one of the first firms in the UK to adopt the “Trailblazer” apprenticeship scheme. Our culture is built on Communication, Leadership, Teamwork, and Respect.
With offices across Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Ipswich, and Norwich, we offer the high-calibre work of a city firm with the culture of a regional leader. You’ll work on complex, high-value cases from day one.
We don’t treat apprentices as “extra help” – we treat you as the future of our firm.
How to apply
You can find information about when our applications open, the entry requirements, and frequently asked questions on our dedicated page: Solicitor Apprenticeships: Application information.