We are recruiting for a law degree student to join our boutique law firm as an apprentice. The successful applicant will join Spall Clark in October 2026 as a legal assistant before beginning their apprenticeship in February 2027 and qualifying as a solicitor in 2029.
Graduate Legal Apprenticeship 2027
About us
We are a specialist private client firm committed to providing our clients with high levels of service and expertise. We act for a wide range of people including business owners, people with cross border issues and professionals such as doctors and other solicitors including partners and retired partners of law firms. Our clients typically have assets of between £500,000 and £4m.
Personal Approach
We are a close-knit team of five and work closely with each other to achieve the right results for our clients. Our focus is on building long term relationships with our clients and we offer a highly personalised service where the same solicitor will act for them throughout their relationship with Spall Clark. This means we really get to know our clients and are able to make a real difference to them.
Modern and Dynamic
As a modern, dynamic practice our small size means we can implement any changes quickly and efficiently. We are not stuffy or corporate in our approach and respect each other’s ability and expertise regardless of job title. We operate a ‘paper light’ office and use technology to assist us wherever possible to allow our solicitors to focus most of their time where it counts, advising clients and building relationships.
Engaging Work
We offer interesting, varied work and we rarely deal with ‘run of the mill’ matters. The ability of our solicitors have acknowledged by the profession having been shortlisted for awards by STEP, the Probate Industry Awards and the British Wills and Probate Awards.
Supporting our community
Building links with our community and other businesses is an essential part of our identity. We are very proud of the support we provide to our community, which is why we offer our staff dedicated days to support charities and local organisations.
- Advising on discretionary trusts and dealing with matters such as appointment of new trustees, distributions and bringing trusts to an end.
- Complex probate matters with issues such as double grossing, quick succession relief, interpretation of homemade wills and assets in multiple jurisdictions.
- Court of Protection matters with complex issues such as foreign jurisdictions, retrospective care payments and statutory wills.
- Court of Protection Part 35 Expert Reports
- Lasting Powers of Attorney for people living with dementia, adults with learning disabilities and clients with physical disabilities.
- Wills for clients with assets in foreign jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada, France and Spain.
- Wills and succession planning for many clients with estate values over £2m.
Award Nominations
STEP Private Client Awards 2025
Rising Star of the Year (Legal) – Finalist (Natasha Yelland)
British Wills and Probate Awards 2025
Private Client Practitioner of the Year – Shortlist (Paul Clark TEP)
One to Watch Practitioner of the Year – Shortlist (Natasha Yelland)
Probate Law Firm of the Year: Boutique – Shortlist (Spall Clark Solicitors)
Probate Lawyer of the Year – Shortlist (Melissa Howman)
Unsung Hero Awards – Shortlist (Becky Spall)
Accrediations and memberships
Association of Lifetime Lawyers
Accredited Member – Melissa Howman
Law Society Private Client Solicitors Section
Advisory Committee Member – Paul Clark TEP
Full member – Paul Clark TEP
Affiliate Member – Melissa Howman
Affiliate Member – Natasha Yelland
Graduate Legal Apprenticeship
As our Graduate Legal Apprentice, you will:
- Join a successful boutique private client law firm
- Be part of a close knit team working closely with our solicitors on a wide range of private client matters
- Learn how to prepare Wills, Powers of Attorney and other key documents for clients
- Assist with estate administration, Inheritance Tax planning and Court of Protection work
- Support the team with legal research, drafting and day to day practice administration
- Develop business development skills such as networking and relationship building
- Work alongside members of STEP
- Join as a legal assistant giving you time to settle in before starting your apprenticeship
- Study with University of Law as part of the formal apprenticeship programme starting in February 2027
- Qualify as a Solicitor upon successful completion of the apprenticeship
From day one you will be an important part of the team and will gain hands on experience and play a real part in the work we do for clients.
- The chance to begin your legal career in a firm that values people
- A warm and welcoming working environment
- Personal support and supervision from experienced solicitors
- An allocated mentor for each year of your apprenticeship
- Practical training in all aspects of private client work
- Funding and support for your apprenticeship with University of Law
- Paid days per year to volunteer with charities and community organisations
- Guaranteed days off on your birthday and your children’s birthdays
We would love to hear from you if you:
- Can demonstrate a strong interest in private client work
- Have a positive can-do attitude
- Possess excellent communication and organisational skills
- Can show an awareness of how law firms operate as businesses
- Are eager to learn and contribute to a close‑knit, supportive team
- Can demonstrate a history of success whether this is through academic achievement, previous work experience or extra-curricular activities
- Have, or expect to have, a qualifying degree in law at 2.2. or above or equivalent*
- Have GCSE English and Maths at Level 4 / Grade C or above or equivalent*
- Have not previously studied the LPC or SQE
- Hold the ‘right to work’ in the UK for the duration of your employment and apprenticeship
- Be able to attend the office in Congleton on a full time basis when not studying at University of Law
- The rules for apprenticeships require than an apprentice must learn new skills. This means there is a limit on the prior experience an apprentice is able to have and we may need to check if you meet apprenticeship eligibility rules
* Note that these are the requirements of the academic side of the apprenticeship. If you are not sure if you meet the requirements or feel you have an equivalent to the above qualifications, please get in touch with Becky Spall.
Due to government apprenticeship funding rules, the available funding will differ depending on your age.
For those aged 21 or under at the date of starting the apprenticeship (exact date in February 2027 to be confirmed), the Level 7 apprenticeship is fully funded including the SQE1 and SQE2 exams.
For those aged 22 or older at the date of starting the apprenticeship (exact date in February 2027 to be confirmed), the apprenticeship training is based on an Advanced Paralegal apprenticeship at Level 5. As well as the Level 5 Advanced Paralegal apprenticeship, you will also be given an opportunity to study SQE1 and SQE 2 and can still qualify as a solicitor through this route. This includes funding for the first attempt at SQE1 and if this is passed, funding for the training and first attempt at SQE2. If you fail SQE1 you will be required to self fund the resit for SQE1 and the SQE2 exam in addition to any required training. If you pass SQE1 but fail SQE2, you will be required to self fund the SQE2 exam resit in addition to any other required training . Further information can be provided upon request.
Application Process
We have a three stage process which is outlined below.
- CV and Covering Letter sent to Practice Manager
Deadline: 23:59 on 15 May 2026
- Interview with directors
- Tour of the office and introduction to team
- Presentation (topic to be provided in advance)
Expected Dates: End of June 2026 / Beginning of July 2026
- Assessment centre (details to be provided to candidates in advance)
Expected Dates: End of July 2026
How to apply
To apply for the apprenticeship please email your CV and covering letter to Becky Spall at becky.spall@spallclark.co.uk.
Your CV should be no more than two A4 pages in length. It should include the following:
- Your academic results (including a breakdown of degree modules and predicted grades)
- Legal work experience
- Non-legal work experience
- Extra-curricular activities
- Any other achievement you wish to highlight
Your covering letter should be no more than one A4 page in length. Your covering letter should explain the following:
- Why you wish to specialise in private client over other areas of law
- Why you have chosen to apply to Spall Clark Solicitors
- What makes you stand out as an applicant
Tips for a successful application
Review our website and social media before applying
You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of who we are and why we are different to other law firms
Highlight your unique achievements and skills
We expect you to be able to reference your CV when giving examples
Be meticulous when proof reading your CV and covering letter
Ensure your CV and covering letter are submitted before the deadline
Once an apprenticeship offer has been accepted and preliminary employment checks have been completed, we will offer an introductory morning where you can meet the team, discuss your apprenticeship role in more detail and spend time getting to know us. Once you start, we will offer a full induction programme which will include a welcome lunch with the team.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Becky Spall and the team at Spall Clark.
