Apprenticeship Reflections from Grace

“It has been 2 years since I last shared my views on my progress as a Solicitor Apprentice and it’s fair to say it has been a crazy two years. In February 2023 I was in my third year of university completing my studies for my LLB Legal Practice and Skills alongside working full time at Pictons Solicitors. I am now in my 5th year of my Apprenticeship and have completed my LLB in Legal Practice and Skills and have been studying for my Solicitors Qualifying Exams since June 2024. I am scheduled to take the Solicitors Qualifying Exam 1 in July 2025 with the intention of taking the Solicitors Qualifying Exam 2 in November 2025.

The last year has been intense. I did not expect anything less with having to study for the Solicitors Qualifying Exams and submit my final portfolio for my LLB alongside each other. However, I managed to get through this and I will receive my final overall grade in early March. It was important for me to focus on University and I was able to do this with the support from my mentors at Pictons. They understood my university pressures and offloaded any work that I found myself getting overwhelmed with alongside my studies.

I am not under any illusion that the next and final year of my studies is going to be much harder. For apprentices such as myself balancing working full time and studying for exams is a skill that needs to be perfected. I am still trying to achieve this balance. This year is about making sacrifices, especially with my social life, putting things on the backburner to ensure I have the best future for myself and Pictons and pass my final exams.

My progression within Pictons has gone incredibly well since 2023. I started with Wills and Lasting Power of Attorney instructions. I have now developed a case load which includes Probates, trust matters and have had exposure to Court of Protection matters. Alongside training in the Wills Trusts and Probate Department, I have also had exposure to Family matters and been working alongside the team to assist with preparing bundles and sitting in on client meetings for financial matters.

I have high hopes for the next year. I will strive to achieve good results, not only for my own satisfaction, but for Pictons as well.”