Commercial Awareness for Solicitor Apprentices Week 9

Introduction: Hello, this week we interviewed Adam Smith who is an ipswich based solicitor apprentice. We also look at recent SRA advice for in-house counsels and we look at the legal ramifications of NorthVolts' bankruptcy on solicitor apprentices and the wider legal world. Finally I explain the role of ADR and why every aspiring apprentice should explore a career in it. 

 

Interview:

1.   Tell us about your background

I’m Adam Smith, and I’m a first-year solicitor apprentice at Attwells Solicitors. We have offices in London, Ipswich, Colchester, and Woodbridge. We mostly do property law, but we also handle things like commercial law, private client matters, litigation, and employment. I started here in September 2024, right after finishing my A Levels in Psychology, Law, and Economics. I first got interested in law during my high school’s careers fair in Year 10, where I chatted with a law firm. Since I enjoyed humanities at GCSE, I chose A Level Law to see if it was something I’d really be into. It turned out to be my best subject, and I loved it. So, I looked into different paths to becoming a lawyer and found the solicitor apprenticeship route. I applied for apprenticeships and also got offers from three universities, but when I got the offer from Attwells, I knew this was the right fit for me.

2.   What are the apprenticeship opportunities in your area like?

In Ipswich, there weren’t a lot of solicitor apprenticeships available when I applied—maybe four firms, each taking just one or two apprentices, so it was pretty competitive. That said, there are lots of other types of apprenticeships around here, like accounting and carpentry, which some of my friends went into. Ipswich is about an hour and a half commute to London (not including the tube), and there are a lot of apprenticeships there, so it could be a good option for someone willing to travel a bit for work.

3.   Do you think there are any disadvantages of doing the solicitor apprenticeship?

A lot of people think the downside of doing an apprenticeship is missing out on the “university life” and having less of a social life, but I haven’t found that to be true. I still have loads of time to hang out with my friends, and now I’m making friends with my colleagues too, which has been great. I think a possible downside could be going straight into a full-time job at 18, with responsibilities that can be a bit much if you’re not ready for it. But it all comes down to what kind of person you are. If you like a more “traditional” learning path, then university might be the way to go. But if you’re into learning on the job, building professional skills, and getting stuck in from the start, then the apprenticeship route is definitely worth considering.

4.   What are the advantages of doing a solicitor apprenticeship outside of London?

There are a lot of perks to doing an apprenticeship outside of London. Sure, being at a big London law firm would be amazing, but there’s something special about working at a local, medium-sized firm like Attwells. I’ve never felt like just another number here—I’m part of the team, and I’ve gotten to know not only my department but also people across the whole firm. The close-knit, supportive environment really makes a difference, and I’m building great friendships with my colleagues. I think it’s a great experience for anyone wanting to start their career while feeling truly valued.

5.   Tell us about a day in the life at Attwells as a solicitor apprentice

Right now, I’m in my first-year rotation, working in the Compliance and Training department. A typical day includes:

·       Reviewing ID checks for new clients and monitoring ongoing checks for past clients

·       Researching compliance updates from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)

·       Working on reception one day a week for client-care training

·       Helping to organise careers fairs, talks, and workshops for local schools and sixth forms

·       Researching training resources for the team

·       Socialising with colleagues

·       Team meetings and a weekly all-staff meeting

·       Regular check-ins with my supervisor

·       Assisting fee earners with various other tasks

Every day is different, which keeps it interesting, and I’m always learning something new.

 

Interview takeaway: 

Commercial legal explainer:  Who is responsible when a firm does wrongdoing despite the contrary advice of an in house lawyer? The SRA( Solicitors Regulatory Authority) has published new material which clearly indicates that it firmly lies on in-house counsel themselves. The publication states that when a corporation acts against counsel advice the lawyer should consider whether they can fulfil their duty as a lawyer at that company. 

The crucial wording comes in the form of “You should, where relevant, inform your employer in advance of the circumstances in which your duty to the court and other professional obligations will outweigh your duty to them”. This can be interpreted as a crucial caveat for the lawyer to leave without qualms due to perceived neglect of informing the employer in advance. However, if it is verbal the principal concern is companies may deny a confirmation of duty ever took place. However, the bright future lawyers among us may quickly realise that the onus is on the firm when the employ a lawyer to be aware of the preexisting duties. 

 

*Interview tip: With firms such as Deloitte offering in-house counsel solicitor apprenticeships, and a fiscally tight trading environment, many businesses are looking at ways to avoid paying exorbitant fees for one off work. As lawyers we are a team, therefore to show an awareness of in-house counsels and how we may interact with them shows a holistic awareness that inspires a confidence in our understanding before even working in a law office.  

 

 

Worldwide commercial law news:  

The collapse of Northvolt could certainly not come at a worst time. What many readers may not know is that in Sweden where they were headquartered, they were under intense scrutiny from lawyers due to an explosion at a factory and unexplained deaths of 3 workers. When there are criminal investigations, business and investors get spooked, which can be said to be the downfall of the business. When COP29 is trying to get people to reduce carbon emissions using government and legal commitments then we need to consider how lawyers may be affected.

First, the commercial impact will be an increased reliance on chinese made and heavily subsidised batteries which takes place in a volatile geopolitical environment. Lawyers may be brought in by car manufacturers to discuss exposure risk and the impact of documents created at conferences like COP29. 

Secondly, when society becomes scared, it often turns to crime; ergo strange as it may sound criminal solicitors may profit from working with protestors who get a fine and have to do community service. They will have to ensure they act with focus and precision however to ensure that in a world of chaos and protest punishments are neither too lenient or too harsh. 

Finally, for Northvolt itself the bankruptcy lawyers will have to ensure all deals, agreements and outstanding debts are paid off to prevent lawsuits in the future. They will also have to ensure all workers are protected for example with pay and redundancy support. International lawyers are going to be imperative as Northvolt negotiates a worldwide withdrawal of its product which will rightly concern many environmentalists. 

 

*interview tip: As demonstrated above, the wider legal and geopolitical ramifications are far reaching and as young people our fresh perspective is going to be essential for making sure that current and future companies essential for the climate transition are protected and given the best legal advice upfront so they can focus on protecting our world through decarbonising the future. 

 

Advice from someone in the same boat: 

Few people know that ADR is actually preferred over court. ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution and comprises arbitration, mediation and litigation. With courts being swamped due to covid and underfunding under the previous government, many law firms offer litigation which involves going to meetings and solving disputes to save time and money in court. It is a huge part of any law firm's work because it is dynamic and comprises a lot of legal risk and strategy work. Therefore, if you haven’t before I strongly recommend considering a seat in a litigation department. The role is particularly awesome if, like me, you are a people person and care about making society better through interactions with clients.