This year, National Apprenticeship Week has been running from 9-15 February.
The week aims to raise awareness of the many benefits apprenticeships can offer people, and it highlights the valuable role apprenticeships play in shaping local workforces and the opportunities they bring for both young people and adults.
During the week, businesses and apprentices across the UK shine a light on the positive impact being made by workplace apprenticeships.
We have been speaking to some of our apprentices here at the firm to hear more about their stories, in terms of what made them choose this route, how they are finding it, and what their future hopes and aspirations look like...
Harry Lester
19-year-old Harry Lester is in his second year of the firm’s Solicitor Apprenticeship programme and is based in Freeths’ Nottingham office, where he works in the Housebuilding & Strategic Land team.
Harry first became interested in a legal career while studying A Level Law, but the traditional university route never felt right for him. He wasn’t drawn to the idea of years of academic study followed by the highly competitive process of securing a training contract. Instead, he wanted to begin practicing law as soon as possible. The apprenticeship route offered exactly that – the chance to qualify as a solicitor without the pressure of training contract applications, and without the debt associated with university.
While Harry did briefly consider the university pathway, he knew it didn’t align with how he wanted to learn or live. “I’d had enough of studying and wanted to practice law ASAP,” he says. “By contrast, the idea of stepping straight into legal work, building experience early, and qualifying through hands-on learning felt like a far better fit.”
However, Harry is keen to stress that apprenticeships are every bit as competitive as university. He applied to several schemes, and says the key is tailoring each application. His advice is clear: “If you can copy and paste your answer into another application and just change a word or two, it is too vague and will be overlooked. Firms can tell.”
Since joining Freeths, Harry has been exposed to areas of law he didn’t even know existed, including development work, infrastructure agreements and the legal frameworks governing housing. He has also benefited from opportunities he never anticipated – travelling to London to attend AI conferences, attending client charity dinners, being named runner-up for the firm’s Apprentice of the Year, qualifying as a first aider and training to become a mental health first aider.
Looking ahead, Harry hopes to continue building his expertise in his team and use the depth of experience he is gaining to support future NQ applications.
His advice to future apprentices is simple: tailor your applications, stay resilient and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.
Harry Garner
For Harry Garner, based in Freeths’ Bristol office within the Real Estate team, the journey into law wasn’t a straight line. Before joining the firm, Harry spent time working, campaigning and travelling, in preparation for what has always been his ambition: qualifying as a lawyer while working on the job and continuing to contribute to meaningful outcomes, even during his training. What he did not want was to step away from the world of work and return to full-time academic study.
Harry learns best by doing – by contributing, collaborating and seeing tangible outcomes. An apprenticeship offered exactly that. “It allows me to build long-term relationships with an amazing team and be bold in my work from an early stage,” he says. For him, the route blends progression with practicality: gaining experience, learning from respected colleagues, and moving steadily toward qualifying as a lawyer.
He briefly considered more traditional routes into law, but they didn’t align with his preferred way of working. Harry believes the sector is changing, and that apprenticeships now offer something universities alone cannot: real-time, applied learning alongside leading professionals. He also highlights the importance of social mobility, noting how apprenticeships level the playing field. “It opens opportunities that are often too restricted for people from backgrounds like mine,” he says. “It focuses on your work ethic and grit, not who you know or the sound of your voice.”
Looking ahead, Harry is ambitious. Inspired by colleagues across the firm, including seeing colleagues like Corporate Partner and Head of International Emily Settle featured in The Lawyer’s Hot 100, he hopes to develop into a leading lawyer who uses innovative approaches to make a meaningful difference for clients and wider society.
His message to future apprentices is simple but intentional: “Do it, but remember to stay authentic and resilient. If you put in the effort and make the most of every opportunity, it’s the most rewarding path into law.”
Pippa Johnson
For Pippa Johnson, who works in the Corporate team in Freeths’ Bristol office, independence came early. She began working full-time and living on her own while completing her A levels, and by the time she finished college she felt ready for the workplace rather than a return to traditional classroom study. That made the apprenticeship route feel far more natural than university.
She had initially planned a different path – a gap year spent travelling, followed by a deferred place at a London university. But during her travels, Pippa began researching her options in more depth. Apprenticeships hadn’t been widely discussed at her sixth form, so exploring them sparked a shift in thinking. The opportunity to gain real legal experience, earn a salary, and avoid university debt aligned perfectly with her goals.
Now settled into Freeths, Pippa values the opportunity to develop practical skills alongside experienced fee earners. Over the next few years, she hopes to build a strong platform of hands-on experience that will support her transition into a newly qualified role and enable her to continue progressing within the firm.
Pippa’s advice to those considering the apprenticeship route focuses on balance. “Make sure you’re ready to manage both work and study,” she says. The structure is immensely rewarding, but it requires organisation and commitment. For those who can embrace that dual responsibility, she believes the early career development it offers is unmatched.
Hanan Bayanoni
At just 19 years old, Hanan Bayanoni has already built an impressive record of community leadership and volunteering, all of which has shaped her journey to becoming a solicitor apprentice. Originally from Luton, she relocated to Freeths’ Oxford office, where she is part of the Clinical Negligence team.
Hanan has long been driven by a desire to support others. Throughout high school and sixth form, she took on roles that deepened her interest collaboration and problem solving: serving as a youth councillor, leading mental health campaigns, mentoring young people, and even supporting her younger brother’s business, a coding platform for children. She was also the first UK Young Ambassador for Inspiring Girls – a charity that is dedicated to raising and championing the aspirations of young girls worldwide. Her commitment to community work was recognised when she received the Young Female Award at the 2024 Women of Inspiration Awards.
These experiences made law feel like a natural fit. Legal work experience confirmed the profession aligned with her strengths and interests, and it was through Young Professionals events that she discovered solicitor apprenticeships – a route that “immediately appealed”. Learning directly from experienced fee earners, gaining hands-on experience, and avoiding student debt were all factors, but equally important was the ability to apply her academic learning straight into real cases.
Hanan’s first months at Freeths have been rewarding. She is already contributing to complex matters within her team and was pleased to receive a Freethstar award within her first six months at the firm. Over the next four years, she will complete her law degree while working in Clinical Negligence, before rotating seats and progressing through the SQE. Her goal is clear: to qualify at Freeths and continue contributing to meaningful work for clients.
Her advice to aspiring apprentices is grounded in her own path. She strongly encourages volunteering to build soft skills, particularly communication, which are essential for applications and for day-to-day work. She also advises researching firms thoroughly, exploring their news, social media and employee insights. And when it comes to interviews? “Treat them like normal conversations with friends – it will calm your nerves and help you perform better.”
If you're interested in an apprenticeship at Freeths, please head to our Legal Apprentices page to find out more!
The content of this page is a summary of the law in force at the date of publication and is not exhaustive, nor does it contain definitive advice. Specialist legal advice should be sought in relation to any queries that may arise.
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