Rix & Kay Appoints First Solicitor Apprentice

Rix & Kay has appointed its first Solicitor Apprentice

Leah Norton who is part of Rix & Kays private client team will commence the firm’s formal Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme on 24 March where she will complete a further 18 months of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) and undertake her Solicitor Qualifying Exams (SQE).

The Scheme, which is funded through the government’s apprenticeship levy and Rix & Kay, will allow Leah to become a fully qualified solicitor.

The Scheme is supported by Damar Training, a leading provider of business and professional apprenticeships across England, who will deliver a personal training programme designed specifically for the SQE and underpinned by an AI-powered learning platform built by BARBRI, the leading global provider of legal education.

Key elements of the Apprenticeship Scheme and training programme include:

• Dedicated supervision and mentoring provided by a senior Rix & Kay Partner
• Face-to-face online coaching visits with a dedicated Damar coach
• Diverse and engaging online resources to support the development of knowledge, behaviours and skills
• Group coaching sessions to develop skills and exam techniques
• Detailed weekly study and content on the BARBRI system

Commenting on her appointment to Rix & Kay’s Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme, Leah said,

“My goal is to qualify as a solicitor. The apprenticeship is providing me with a fantastic opportunity to do this in a financially viable way. It covers everything required to qualify, from the top-level support and mentoring to prepare for the SQE1 and SQE2, and the Qualifying Work Experience”.

Rix & Kay has introduced its Solicitor Apprenticeship Scheme to ensure that, going forward, it provides opportunities to individuals from all backgrounds who want to enter into the legal profession and particularly those who may not be in a position to fund themselves through traditional qualifying routes.

In November 2024, the government announced it was reviewing its funding of all Level 7 Apprenticeship Schemes. Whilst a final decision is still to be made, the prospect of funding being withdrawn has created much media attention.

Many commentators view apprenticeships as a key mechanism for supporting social mobility and, without such opportunities, many would continue to face barriers when it came to realising their career ambitions.

Jonathan Bourne, MD of Damar Training commented,

“At Damar, we see every day how apprenticeships create ladders of opportunity that allow talented, ambitious people, regardless of age or background, to reach their potential. It is why, in 2023, we launched a solicitor apprenticeship in partnership with BARBRI and why we have developed a pathway that allows individuals from a wide variety of academic and vocational backgrounds and ages to take an apprenticeship route to qualification as a solicitor.

“We believe that the withdrawal of funding for Level 7 apprenticeships, including solicitor, which the government is currently considering, would reinstate the glass ceiling that has for so long blighted the legal profession but where progress is now being made; and that such action would impose further barriers rather than breaking them down”.

Despite the prospect of Level 7 apprenticeship funding being withdrawn, Rix & Kay will continue to promote career opportunities for individuals from all walks of life. It remains hopeful that it will be able to continue to recruit new Solicitor Apprentices later in 2025 and is exploring options to make accessible both the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship and a new Level 5 Senior Paralegal Apprenticeship.

Richard Cripps, Rix & Kay’s Managing Partner commented,

“The government’s decision to potentially withdraw funding for Solicitor Apprenticeships is curious. One of its key missions included within its manifesto pledges is to “break down barriers to opportunity”. I can only see that withdrawing funding for all Level 7 Apprenticeships will result in less opportunity for under-represented groups.

“At Rix & Kay, we will continue to do all we can to promote diversity and inclusion and provide opportunities to individuals, irrespective of their backgrounds, to fulfil rewarding and successful careers in law. I’m absolutely delighted that we are able to announce our first Solicitor Apprentice appointment and look forward to announcing many more in the future”.