Law firm Provenio Litigation launches new law graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme at its Liverpool base. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool law firm Provenio Litigation has launched a new law graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme.

From August 2022, Provenio’s future joiners will join a law graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme. They will study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE 1 and SQE 2) with The University of Law (ULaw).

During the programme, ULaw will provide subject-specialist support to the apprentices with supervised tuition, guidance and feedback. One-to-one guidance and support will also be given by skills coaches with regular visits by the coaches to the workplace.

One day each week will be dedicated to off-the-job study. The four remaining days will provide the required work-based experience at Provenio.

Provenio’s first graduate solicitor apprentices are Jack Enright and Lucy Baker. Jack studied law at the University of Liverpool. Lucy received a first-class Undergraduate Law (International) Degree from the University of Leeds. This included a year studying abroad in Melbourne, Australia.

Jack, who currently works as a paralegal at Provenio, said: “The new way of qualifying promises to be so much more accessible to both employers and future solicitors than the traditional route.

“Practically, it means that I will be qualified in two years, rather than three. I will learn alongside working and earning, which are of course important considerations for many.”

Lucy added: “After receiving a traditional training contract offer from another law firm, I opted to take the graduate solicitor apprenticeship programme with Provenio. It means I can qualify earlier and receive a competitive salary alongside studying.”

Provenio Litigation was launched in 2019 as Fortuna Law by a team of senior lawyers from DLA Piper. They advise on high value and complex business litigation. Led by founder and managing partner Mark Goodwin, the team is top ranked by the Legal 500.

Mark said both Jack and Lucy will work on complex and high value dispute work. He added: “From day one they will take on a high degree of responsibility while receiving extensive support. It is an exciting new route which will see them qualify as a solicitor in two years.”