Channelling Elle Woods: My Apprenticeship in Law

 Starting my paralegal apprenticeship has been eye-opening and full of opportunity. Following my A-Level exams in May/June 2024, I was lucky enough to be selected for an apprenticeship at Feldon Dunsmore to begin my career in Property Law.  To be truthful, the apprenticeship search wasn’t an easy one and was certainly filled with some tears along the way. I think what people fail to mention is how competitive legal apprenticeships truly are – especially when you are trying to find somewhere that aligns with who you are and what you want to do. So, coming from someone who nearly lost all hope and was ready to take a gap year to try again - please don’t give up! Remember, everything happens for a reason – your perfect legal apprenticeship could be just around the corner.

Now, a little bit more about my experience at FD. From day one, I was exposed to all things Land Law, from investigating legal titles to secured lending, gaining hands on experience far beyond anything I could have read in a textbook. I think one of the biggest surprises for me was the close-knit relationships and collaboration that Feldon Dunsmore fosters.  As an apprentice, having such a supportive environment is really essential, especially when you are trying to juggle all new learning, having a day off for study and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. I think for anyone reading this that is interested in taking on a legal apprenticeship – or even a paralegal role at FD – this is one of the key factors that can really shape your experience and your confidence.

So what is my day to day like as an apprentice?

I work in the office 4 days a week assisting my supervisor Bethany on her files. If you’re lucky enough to have worked with Bethany, you’ve probably had a chaser or two from me at some point! I set up files, assist with completions, draft legal documents and set up applications to the Land Registry. This is not an exhaustive list, and varies every day, meaning each day comes with something new to consider and get stuck into.

When I am not in the office, I am on my study day learning what it takes to be a paralegal and gaining all of the knowledge required for my role. Each week, I work towards this goal with the view of completing my apprenticeship in January 2026 (approx. 16 months total) and eventually moving on to training for the SQE to become a qualified solicitor. This whole journey equates to around 5yrs and is an alternative route to the typical road to qualification (University and a training contract). Although I know this seems a long time, the skills gained are simply irreplaceable and I would encourage anyone interested to consider it.

I am proud to be a part of Feldon Dunsmore, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!