Gordons has announced two further graduates of its pioneering, multi-award-winning law apprenticeship as the firm celebrates 15 years of the scheme.
Katie Breckin and Danny Knee, who joined Gordons as apprentices in 2019 and 2020 respectively, have both qualified as chartered legal executives.
They achieved the qualification by successfully completing the Gordons Law Apprenticeship. This was the first apprenticeship of its kind in the UK legal sector when it was launched in 2011 to enable greater social mobility within the profession.
The five-year long programme admits bright and determined 18-year-old A-level school leaver entrants each September with an emphasis on those from disadvantaged or challenging backgrounds.
Since it began, more than 40 young people have been apprentices at the firm and this year Gordons will offer further places in September, which are conditional on A-level results.
Following their graduation, Katie is continuing her career as part of the firm’s residential conveyancing team whilst Danny is doing the same within Gordons’ commercial property specialism.
As apprentices, both trained to become qualified lawyers through a combination of hands-on experience and academic study whilst Gordons paid their salary and course fees.
The Gordons Law Apprenticeship was the idea of senior partner, Paul Ayre, who wanted to increase social mobility in the legal profession.
He commented: “We want Gordons to be full of talented, determined people with a great attitude. We wanted to find bright young people who work hard and that is exactly what we have done over the past 15 years with our law apprenticeship.
“Katie and Danny are two great examples of why we remain totally committed to the scheme. They should be very proud of what they have achieved and the manner in which they have done it.
“They are both great assets to the firm, and we will continue investing in their personal and professional development to enable them to fulfil their potential.”
Gordons was the first law firm featured in the UK’s top 30 higher apprenticeship employers and in the top 100 employers for school and college leavers, which is recognised by AllAboutSchoolLeavers.co.uk.
The firm’s legal apprenticeship has also been highly commended for excellence in diversity and inclusion by the Law Society, won the Raising the Bar Awards for education and won the most effective diversity programme award at The Lawyer Management Awards.
Employing 180 people, Gordons has its head office in Leeds. The firm’s clients include retailers AO, Iceland Foods, Morrisons, Ocado Retail and Wren Kitchens as well as drinks company Molson Coors and parcel delivery business Evri.
For further information on the firm’s apprenticeship search ‘Gordons law apprenticeship’.
Image provided by Gordons
