My legal life: Holly Hayden, Weightmans

I discovered legal apprenticeships at a school career’s fair in 2018. The prospect of being able to gain legal experience where I can assist on real cases, surrounded by practising legal professionals while developing my legal knowledge and then qualifying as a solicitor, seemed incredible. From building up my legal experiences before starting the apprenticeship, I found that having a purpose while also delivering as part of a team is important to me. This confirmed that the solicitor apprenticeship route into a legal career was what I wanted to do. 

I applied to Weightmans’ solicitor apprenticeship scheme while in my final year of sixth form. It started in early 2021 with a written application, followed by an interactive assessment and then an assessment centre. I was offered a place in March 2021.

My work is hugely varied and no two days are the same: from attending court to drafting legal documents, reviewing medical records, filling in administration details on new matters, paying court fees, to contributing to innovation technology projects. There are no set tasks for an apprentice. It is reflective of the teams we work with and is based on building our legal experience and knowledge.

I am also part of my office’s corporate social responsibility committee. I have teamed up with Faye Simpson, a trainee solicitor at the firm, to raise money for The Y (a Leicestershire youth homelessness charity). I have worked with Faye to organise a raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses and organisations, and cycled my 50-mile share of a sponsored 100-mile cycle ride.

'In my first six months I have performed work I would not have dreamt was possible a year ago'

The working weeks for apprentices and trainee solicitors differ. Trainees have already completed their law degree (or alternative degree and a conversion course) and their LPC so are focused on completing their two years’ legal work experience, meaning they work Monday to Friday in the firm. However, as apprentices we are doing our legal studies while gaining six years of qualifying legal work experience. I spend Wednesdays at university completing my lectures and academic content for the week towards my law degree, and then later the SQE.  

Two common misconceptions are that apprentices ‘just do the photocopying’ and do not gain any qualifications. These are false. I am currently working towards my degree and will sit the SQE. These misconceptions have never been an issue for me as part of the first cohort of Weightmans’ apprentices because my colleagues are hugely supportive.

In my first six months I have performed work I would not have dreamt was possible a year ago. The highlight so far is a witness interview I have been involved in. I have already been included in a number of these, developing my understanding of the process by gaining more responsibility with each interview. Starting off with observing and making notes on the format, I went on to writing the attendance notes, to then drafting and asking questions. After reviewing the facts of the case, I identified potential questions that needed to be addressed. During the interview I was able to ask some of these questions, providing valuable information to the case which was added into the witness statement. This is something that I would not have been able to experience six months into the traditional university route and confirms to me the importance of the skills and experiences I am gaining from my apprenticeship.