Broadcaster ITV has launched the first in-house solicitor apprenticeship under the government's Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme.

The apprenticeship is being launched in partnership with CILEx Law School and City University London's City Law School.

Andrew Garard, general counsel at ITV, said the scheme was "a great opportunity" for the broadcaster to get solicitors that knew ITV's business "inside out at the point of qualification".

ITV is due to employ the first apprentice in London next September, when the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' Trailblazer legal apprenticeships scheme is due to come into effect.

The scheme will offer an alternative route into the profession for apprentices who will be able to qualify as chartered legal executives, solicitors or paralegals.

Legal apprenticeships are being increasingly used as alternative routes into the profession.

This summer Mayer Brown launched the first City-based apprenticeship scheme, whilst the firm's London senior partner Sean Connolly has extolled the concept of alternative routes into the legal profession.

Meanwhile, diversity organisation the Legal Social Mobility Partnership (LSMP), founded by ITV director of legal affairs and third party sales Barry Matthews, has announced it is to join with fellow diversity organisation Aspiring Solicitors on a range of joint ventures to promote social mobility in the profession.

The two organisations will work together on talks at events and mentoring services.

Aspiring Solicitors was founded by Chris White, former corporate associate at Norton Rose Fulbright, in 2014 and currently has over 17,000 members. It works with law firms including Baker & McKenzie, Dentons, Eversheds, Mayer Brown and Norton Rose Fulbright.

Commenting on the partnership Matthews said that the two organisations have ‘a natural synergy.'

He added: "Student ambassadors from Aspiring Solicitors will attend events and talk to those wishing to make their first steps into law as peers. Senior role models are great, but the reality is different for those of a closer age who are studying now."

 

Broadcaster ITV has launched the first in-house solicitor apprenticeship under the government's Trailblazer apprenticeship scheme.

The apprenticeship is being launched in partnership with CILEx Law School and City University London's City Law School.

Andrew Garard, general counsel at ITV, said the scheme was "a great opportunity" for the broadcaster to get solicitors that knew ITV's business "inside out at the point of qualification".

ITV is due to employ the first apprentice in London next September, when the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills' Trailblazer legal apprenticeships scheme is due to come into effect.

The scheme will offer an alternative route into the profession for apprentices who will be able to qualify as chartered legal executives, solicitors or paralegals.

Legal apprenticeships are being increasingly used as alternative routes into the profession.

This summer Mayer Brown launched the first City-based apprenticeship scheme, whilst the firm's London senior partner Sean Connolly has extolled the concept of alternative routes into the legal profession.

Meanwhile, diversity organisation the Legal Social Mobility Partnership (LSMP), founded by ITV director of legal affairs and third party sales Barry Matthews, has announced it is to join with fellow diversity organisation Aspiring Solicitors on a range of joint ventures to promote social mobility in the profession.

The two organisations will work together on talks at events and mentoring services.

Aspiring Solicitors was founded by Chris White, former corporate associate at Norton Rose Fulbright, in 2014 and currently has over 17,000 members. It works with law firms including Baker & McKenzie, Dentons, Eversheds, Mayer Brown and Norton Rose Fulbright.

Commenting on the partnership Matthews said that the two organisations have ‘a natural synergy.'

He added: "Student ambassadors from Aspiring Solicitors will attend events and talk to those wishing to make their first steps into law as peers. Senior role models are great, but the reality is different for those of a closer age who are studying now."