Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors has celebrated National Apprenticeship Week by profiling two of its legal apprentices.
National Apprenticeship Week takes place February 3 to 9.
The annual celebration is designed to bring the apprenticeship community together to celebrate the impact apprenticeships have on companies and people.
WHN spoke to two of its current female apprentices at the firm’s Bury office, Nicole Cormick and Carolyn Ford, about their aspirations and experiences so far.
Why did you choose law as a career path?
Nicole Cormick: I enjoy the subject and find it interesting. I have always had an interest in law and when the opportunity was offered to me at WHN Solicitors I was very happy.
Carolyn Ford: I have worked in solicitors’ firms for the past 17 years, starting as an office junior, progressing to legal secretary and finally as a paralegal.
Which area of law will you specialise in and when will you qualify?
NC: I hope to specialise in commercial property as a chartered legal executive by 2026.
CF: I specialise in family law, mainly dealing with care proceedings, children act proceedings and domestic abuse cases. I assist Katharine Marshall and Mark Taylor both of whom have a wealth of knowledge and experience. I will qualify in 2024 as a chartered legal executive.
What has been the most important thing you have learned so far during your apprenticeship?
NC: I knew the process of conveyancing, however I wanted to know more in-depth aspects of the law, enabling me to complete more advanced and complex work. The course is offering this and I have learned up to this point how to complete a residential sale and purchase from start to finish.
CF: I would say the organisation of my time to enable me to fit my studies around my work and personal life.
What are the advantages of a legal apprenticeship rather than a traditional degree?
NC: There are many advantages to this course, however the main ones for myself are flexible time, working while learning and I feel as though I can learn more while studying a different subject each week and then putting it straight into practice.
CF: I have been able to earn whilst I learn without the burden of student debt.
Are there more opportunities for females in the legal professional than there were in the past and why?
NC: I understand that in the past the legal profession was known as a ‘male-orientated profession’, however through legislation over the years I do feel as though there are many more opportunities for women.
Not only that, I also feel as though there are many more opportunities and routes for both men and women who wish to pursue a career in law.
CF: As the gender gap closes, the profession has seen a rise in more female paralegals, chartered legal executives, solicitors and directors/partners. Last year saw the first two chartered legal executives who are also female become judges.
To find out more about the career opportunities at Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors please visit our careers page.
