Eisha Lal – My route to becoming a Solicitor

There are now several routes to becoming a solicitor and I have just qualified following a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship. This route offers an alternative route to qualifying as a solicitor, combining practical, on the job training while studying for the Solicitor Qualifying Exams (SQE) at university.

I chose this route for several reasons, firstly, it allowed me to gain hands-on legal experience while studying. This was valuable as the SQE covers a wide range of legal practice areas, and applying what I learnt in real time allowed me to develop both academically and professionally. Secondly, the apprenticeship allowed me to qualify more quickly; rather than completing a year long university course followed by two years of training, the apprenticeship combines the two and takes two years and six months. During my time at Sackers, I worked four days a week, with one dedicated study day each week and additional study leave around exams. This structure helped me keep a clear boundary between my practical on the job training and my studies, allowing me to manage both effectively.

The two and a half year apprenticeship is structured into several seats, similar to a traditional training contract. These seats were KnowHow, Sackers in-house knowledge team; General Pensions which handles a broad range of client work; Pensions Litigation which focuses on the dispute side of pension law; and Finance and Investments, working in fund related and risk transfer matters. These seats gave me exposure to different teams and types of legal work.

One particularly valuable experience during my apprenticeship was my involvement in several mediation processes, which allow parties to resolve disputes without going to court. This was a fantastic learning opportunity, as I worked closely with the lawyers involved, clients and mediators. I had the opportunity to get involved from the outset assisting in drafting legal advice, participating in pre-mediation calls with clients and mediators, preparing settlement agreements and supporting the team on the day of the mediation itself.

As I progressed and developed a deeper understanding of pension law, I was given additional responsibility and more complex tasks. For example, I was part of a team advising on a significant project involving a pension schemes buy-in with an insurance company, this gave me an insight into large scale risk transfer transactions.

Training at Sackers has been an invaluable experience. As above, I had the opportunity to rotate through various departments within pension law, gaining a broad understanding of the field. As the leading law firm for pensions working alongside the top lawyers in the sector has exceeded all expectations. I worked closely with fee earners at every level from associates to partners, which not only deepened my technical knowledge but also helped me develop essential soft skills, such as communication, collaboration and networking.

One of the advantages of this route is the combination of legal and non-legal experience it offers. Alongside my legal work, I have been an active member of the Joy Committee, a committee, as the name suggests, which brings joy to the firm. Through this, I have helped organise a range of firm wide social events, including theatre trips, curry nights and internal breakfasts.  These experiences have allowed me to contribute to the firm culture and build connections across the firm.

Though this route is incredibly rewarding, there are some challenges. Like starting a new job or entering  a new environment, the adjustment can be daunting, especially if you have never been in an office setting before. Learning an entirely new area of law at the same time can feel overwhelming at first. However, I would not be put off by this, everyone understands that apprentices are here to learn, you are not expected to know everything from day one, ask questions. No question is a silly one! With the right support, this route offers a unique and rewarding way to qualify.

While this route may sound daunting, juggling work and study, it is achievable. The key is to develop good time management and remain flexible when balancing competing demands. With the right support and structure, it is a rewarding path to the legal profession.