The University of Law and Freshfields Partner on Paralegal Apprenticeship Scheme

LONDON, August 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Freshfields) has Launched a new Paralegal Apprenticeship Scheme, Which Offers Aspiring Paralegals an Alternative Route Into the Profession.

Freshfields will offer apprenticeships at its Legal Services Centre in Manchester, with the first intake starting in October 2016. The scheme will offer apprentices a flexible and less costly route to enter the legal profession.

During the two year programme, students will study for a paralegal apprenticeship delivered by The University of Law (ULaw) in partnership with apprenticeship specialists, Damar Training. Apprentices will benefit from the partners' longstanding vocational legal studies experience and the support and mentorship of tutors with extensive practical and academic expertise.

The apprenticeship scheme has been specifically designed for Freshfields' Legal Services Centre. It aims to improve access to the legal profession for talented and ambitious students from a diverse range of backgrounds, while supporting Freshfields' ambition to provide outstanding client service and career progression opportunities from Manchester.

The programme will combine the foundation-level knowledge required for a new entrant into a legal office with the more technical rigour expected of a high performing paralegal.

During the apprenticeship, students will cover a number of key subject areas, including: the English legal system; corporate law, contract law; and legal and business skills, alongside invaluable work-based learning at Freshfields. The programme will in addition incorporate modules delivered interactively online through ULaw's i-LLB, matched to the apprentices' area of work.

The Head of the Legal Services Centre at Freshfields, Olivia Balson, commented: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the Legal Services Centre and for our future apprentices. The Legal Services Centre plays a significant role in adding value and efficiency to our global clients, and it is vital that we continue to attract and develop the very best talent and maintain our reputation as an employer of choice. We want to encourage wider access to law and possibilities for progression for the very best talents. These apprenticeships offer a flexible route for talented students to join the legal profession and opportunities to those already in the firm to nurture these talents."

Jason O'Malley, Director of Apprenticeships at ULaw, said: "We are delighted to work with Freshfields and Damar Training on this new paralegal apprenticeship scheme. We are confident that the practical nature of the education offered, alongside substantive work-based learning, will provide valuable new employees for Freshfields and an alternative and robust route into the profession for young people interested in the Law."

Jonathan Bourne, Managing Director of Damar Limited, said: "We are very pleased that Freshfields has seized the opportunity provided by legal apprenticeships to attract and develop talented young people who have decided not to follow the traditional academic route into the profession. We look forward to working with Freshfields and ULaw to deliver this innovative and exciting programme."

To find out more about these apprenticeships, visit: https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeship/785656

Notes to editors
The University of Law 

The University of Law (ULaw) is the largest and longest established provider of professional legal education and training in the UK with centres in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Chester, Guildford, Manchester and Leeds, as well as offering some courses at The University of Exeter. Previously The College of Law, it was granted university status in November 2012.

ULaw works with 90 of the top 100 law firms and offers an award-winning legal careers and employability service, as well as one of the UK's largest and most varied pro bono programmes. The university offers over 2,900 opportunities for students to put their skills into practise, helping them to prepare for the job market.

The University of Law ranked 1^st for student satisfaction in the UK in the National Student Survey 2016.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP is a global law firm with a long-standing track record of successfully supporting the world's leading national and multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments on ground-breaking and business-critical mandates. Our 2,500 plus lawyers deliver results worldwide through our own offices and alongside leading local firms. Our commitment, local and multi-national expertise and business know-how means our clients rely on us when it matters most.

We conduct our business with the integrity expected from a responsible and highly regulated business. We aim to be sensitive to the impact we have on the world around us, and to make a positive difference to the communities in which we operate. Not only is this expected of us, it is the right thing to do. Part of our responsible business programme is dedicated to helping young people realise their potential. We share our strong commitment to corporate responsibility with many of our clients, and we collaborate with them on pro bono projects, volunteering and environmental activities.

http://www.freshfields.com/en/global/

Damar Training 

Damar Training is a long-established provider of apprenticeship recruitment and training with a specialist focus on the legal and justice sectors. Damar works with a wide range of law firms and in-house legal teams, supporting them with the recruitment, training and skills development of new and existing staff working in a paralegal, legal administration and support functions. Damar pioneered the development of the new legal apprenticeship pathway.

To read more on ULaw and Damar's apprenticeship partnership, please visit: http://www.law.ac.uk/about/press-releases/2016/damar-training-apprenticeship/