One of the biggest draws at the moment is the ridiculous cost of full-time university. Whereas going via the apprentice route your firm pays for your degree, you earn as you learn and you get to try out all different areas of law as you do it.

City law firms offer the most incredible solicitor careers. I look back now at a career that has given me an opportunity to do work that makes the headlines, for brilliant clients and where I got to work with the best people. I want us to ensure that others have that opportunity, no matter what their background.

A genuine initiative to tackle social diversity, City Century’s work can only improve the work we do and the reputation City of London lawyers have in the world.

City law firms want the best talent and solicitor apprenticeships offer a different but no lesser way to attract that talent, without the individual incurring debt. This is a great opportunity to develop the next generation of outstanding lawyers who help to make the City of London one of the best places in the world to do business.

It is fantastic to see the launch of City Century, whose excellent work in the legal sector is helping to shape the future of law firms, bolstering the number of solicitor apprentices and supporting firms to access the best apprentice talent.

It is fantastic news that these 50 City law firms have committed to increasing the number of London-based solicitor apprentices. I commend their commitment to social mobility.

I find it hugely exciting to see the generosity of spirit flowing between firms.

When we spoke to 50 City law firms at the end of last year, it quickly became clear that the conversation was changing– to ‘let’s get this done now’ – a real sense of City firms wanting to create an appealing hiring message and do something special.

City Century represents the kind of collective action that drives real change. By increasing access to high-quality apprenticeships, they are helping to build a more diverse, inclusive, and future-ready profession.

I was always more interested in the practice of law as opposed to only studying. When I found out about apprenticeships and how I not only get to a wealth of experience but also get paid from the start, it was a no-brainer! I now get to work alongside some of the best lawyers in the world, working on the biggest cases. I have no regrets on choosing this route and would advise anyone confident in wanting to be a lawyer to choose solicitor apprenticeships

I wanted to work in law because I think it’s a really dynamic profession, it’s ever changing and stimulating. No two days are the same which keeps it a really exciting profession to be in.