Legal Technology Apprenticeships

What is it?

The Legal Technology Apprenticeship is a 3-year Level 6 programme working in our award-winning Osborne Clarke Solutions team. You will gain a BSc (Hons) in either Digital & Technology Solutions or Data Science from BPP University (BPP). All of your tuition fees will be paid and you will earn a salary while you are training.

The apprenticeship will combine practical work-based learning alongside formal study. You will gain valuable, real-life experience in a leading international legal practice, working with global clients to enhance your commercial understanding and grow your confidence in a work environment.

What is Osborne Clarke Solutions?

Osborne Clarke Solutions (OCS) help global clients articulate their innovative vision, the roadmap for delivery, and means of measuring success. We then help deliver on that, by focusing on the pain, not over-engineering, and enabling early helpful progress.

As a team we are a diverse set of skills and backgrounds encompassing legal expertise, technology specialists, operational leadership and sector insights. We have a strong culture and pride ourselves on delivering significant value to the firm and its clients, with a real focus on enjoying ourselves while we do it.

We use a suite of technology products and product development processes to deliver on requirements that are set out for us by clients. We work from a baseline of applications and features that we have developed that can be used to address known areas of client need. The aim is to put the client in control of their processes and data.

We thrive on being focussed, curious, and creative whilst being willing to disrupt and transform. We drive a culture of not being afraid to try and fail by doing so.

Ultimately we are passionate about doing things better, and doing better things.

How many roles are available, where are they based and when will they start?

We are looking for 1 Legal Technology Apprentice to join us in Bristol in January 2025. The apprentice will complete the Digital & Technology Solutions programme.

What is the Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Programme?

The programme will be offered through BPP University over a 3 year period. BPP is an independent university dedicated to business and the professions. It combines innovative study content with real-world experience and insight from expert tutors, delivering the practical skills and industry knowledge to help students to excel in the workplace.

You will have a dedicated study day each week where you'll attend live and interactive lectures online. The course content includes video lectures, digital reading and case studies. You'll also have one-to-one meetings with a dedicated Coach each semester and regular group coaching sessions to encourage peer learning. 

Apprentices are also required to demonstrate the ongoing application of skills to their job role and build a portfolio of evidence that supports their professional development throughout the duration of the programme. 

The Degree Apprenticeship is available in four core specialisms:

Data Analyst, Software Engineer, Cyber Security and IT Consultant.

You will not choose your specialism until your final year so that you have a solid grounding of technical knowledge, which will ensure that you are more adaptive and responsive to the evolving nature of future job roles within technology.

• Data Analyst: Data Structures, Algorithms, Data Management, SQL,Big Data Analytics, Hadoop, Machine Learning, RPA, Neural Networks
• Software Engineer: Object Oriented Programming in Java, UX, DevOps, Javascript, Mobile App design and development, Android Development Essential Training
• Cyber Security: Infrastructure, System architecture, Web, Cloud and mobile technologies, AWS, Azure Fundamentals, Information Security Management Systems, IT Governance, Legislation
• IT Consultant: Emerging Technology, Process Optimisation, Continuous improvement, Lean Six Sigma, Business Growth, Influencing, Communication and Presentation skills

What is the Data Science Degree Programme?

The programme will be offered through BPP University over a 3 year period. BPP is an independent university dedicated to business and the professions. It combines innovative study content with real-world experience and insight from expert tutors, delivering the practical skills and industry knowledge to help students to excel in the workplace. 

You will have a dedicated study day each week where you'll attend live and interactive lectures online. The course content includes video lectures, digital reading and case studies. You'll also have one-to-one meetings with a dedicated Coach each semester and regular group coaching sessions to encourage peer learning. 

Apprentices are also required to demonstrate the ongoing application of skills to their job role and build a portfolio of evidence that supports their professional development throughout the duration of the programme. 

The programme will take you through the following topics:

• Core programming skills for data analytics, using Python and Pandas
• Exploration of analytics tools – Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, and other tools relevant to your organisation
• Data storytelling – communicating complex concepts in a clear and effective manner with presentations and visualisations
• Building predictive models using Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Managing a data science project from end-to-end, delivering value to stakeholders
• Databases and SQL – core concepts, database design, and data modelling
• Basic Data Engineering – data quality, data-driven decision making, and how data is used to solve organisational problems
• Processing unstructured data – Natural Language Processing, web-scaping, and APIs
• Big data tools, distributed file structures, distributed computing, and the administration of clusters
• Cloud infrastructure and the fundamentals of cloud computing – the concepts, value, and security of cloud service providers

What opportunities will I have at the end of the programme?

At the end of the programme there is the potential to apply for a permanent Legal Engineer role in the Osborne Clarke Solutions team. You may also wish to continue your studies by completing a Level 7 Masters qualification, which the team will support.

You will have also been gathering a portfolio of experience within the firm that will make you invaluable to the future growth of the solutions department within the firm. We are a fast-growth department with both national and international job opportunities. 

How will I be supported?

You will receive support and guidance from us throughout your whole apprenticeship. You will have a dedicated line manager, and you will also be paired with a buddy to help you settle into life at Osborne Clarke. This is underpinned by our award-winning HR and career development programme.

You will also benefit from a Student Manager and Personal Tutor at BPP. Your Student Manager is your dedicated point of contact at BPP throughout your apprenticeship, and their main role is to support you and monitor your progress in completing the requirements of the apprenticeship. 

Your Personal Tutor will meet with you when you attend face-to-face teaching sessions at BPP, and will assist you with compilation of your portfolio of workplace evidence and help you to identify how that evidence links to the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by the solicitor apprenticeship standard.

What will I be paid?

The starting salary for the Solutions Apprentice scheme is £20,000 p.a. Your salary will then increase as you progress through the 3 year programme as shown below:

• Year 1 - £20,000
• Year 2 - £22,000
• Year 3 - £24,000

We also have a comprehensive benefits package.

What is Osborne Clarke looking for in an Apprentice?

As well as strong academics (ABB at A Level, predicted or obtained) we are looking for someone who is:

• Capable of quickly picking up and understanding new technologies
• Comfortable engaging with people and supporting client facing conversations
• Willing to fail, learn and improve ideas and solutions
• Curious, creative and have a desire to change things for the better
• Invested in delivering a high quality client experience
• An active and supportive team member that looks to contribute to a healthy team dynamic
• An active wellbeing and mental health advocate
• Able to bring independence and diversity of thought every day

If I have more questions, is there someone I can speak to?

If you have questions that you'd like to ask about the apprenticeship please contact us here.

What does the recruitment process involve?

Stage 1: Application Form

The first step is an online application form. This is your chance to tell us about you and what your drivers are to join Osborne Clarke.

You will need to produce a cover letter outlining why you think that both OC and the Solutions Apprenticeship are right for you. You should take this opportunity to highlight your skills, experiences and what really motivates you as a person.

Take your time to get this submission right as it’s the first opportunity for us to meet you through your cover letter and application.

Stage 2: Assessment Centre

If your submission is successful then you will be invited to an assessment centre. Take a pause and congratulate yourself at this point. There will be a few different elements including a group discussion, interview with a senior manager and some solution design exercises.

We are looking to see you as an individual come out and show what your personality will add to the team. Communication skills are really important for our team and it will be important to come across as engaging, creative and invested in listening to people you meet on the day.

Our Locations

Introducing our Bristol office

Bristol is a thriving city and one of the most vibrant legal centres outside of London. From our Bristol office we advise national and international clients, as well as the high-growth and entrepreneurial businesses that are putting the South West on the map. Our Bristol team includes our Product Design, Legal Engineering, Legal Operations, UK Client Solutions, International Client Solutions and Project Management teams.