Blacks Solicitors is celebrating the qualification of its first apprentice to successfully complete the six-year long apprenticeship scheme.

Beth Brindley joined the firm as a Solicitor Apprentice in September 2016 and has spent the last six years securing experience in a legal environment across a variety of teams through Blacks’ Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme. Beth will qualify as a Solicitor on 10th September 2022 in the Commercial law team.

Commenting on her apprenticeship experience and qualification, Beth said: “Although it’s been a challenging six years, it’s been extremely rewarding and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve achieved. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to qualify as a solicitor without having to go through more traditional routes and the experience that I’ve had with Blacks has been fantastic. I’m looking forward to continuing my work with the team as a qualified Solicitor.”

Following her qualification, Beth will join the Commercial Law team and specialise in commercial contracts including T&Cs, supply contracts, distribution contracts, and licence agreements. Beth will also bring expertise on intellectual property and trade mark registrations to the firm and its clients.

Tom Moyes, Training Partner at Blacks Solicitors, said: “Investing in an apprenticeship scheme makes good business sense as it attracts talent from a range of backgrounds, and its inclusive nature allows individuals to train and qualify as a solicitor even if they aren’t able to access more traditional routes. Beth has achieved so much in her six years with us and her qualification is very well deserved. It’ll be exciting to see her continue to progress and develop her knowledge of Commercial law.”

Blacks Solicitors’ Level Seven Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme is six years long and provides people with the chance to become a qualified solicitor without incurring the costs associated with going to university full time. Over the course of the programme, candidates will secure experience in a variety of teams across the firm and secure payment while working.

Clare Grant, Commercial Director at BPP Legal Apprenticeships, added: “Legal apprenticeships have become increasingly popular over the past few years with many school leavers realising that being embedded with an employer from day one provides a springboard for their future career.

“Employers too are becoming more familiar with the benefits of taking on an apprentice and developing them internally within their firm’s culture. This is certainly what Blacks has done, being one of my first apprenticeship clients with whom BPP has developed a great partnership. Beth is a great credit to the firm and I wish her all the success she deserves in her future legal career.”

For more information on the apprenticeship scheme at Blacks Solicitors, please visit www.lawblacks.com/about-us/careers/apprenticeships/.