Meet the Apprentice

Cyril Lekgetho is a second-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown

Josh Ovens is a solicitor apprentice at RPC. 

Cyril Lekgetho is a second-year solicitor apprentice at Mayer Brown. He’s currently studying in the employment (global legal projects) department.

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?

Having six years of sector-specific experience prior to qualifying as a solicitor was a big draw for me. It presented an opportunity to make industry connections and grow a professional network, work alongside the brightest minds in the profession on market-leading matters and earn a wage from an early age.

What’s a typical day at work like?

In my current seat, there’s a lot of cross-border communication between international offices and clients and, on many occasions, I’ve been tasked with contacting overseas offices to:

• request jurisdictional advice;
• exchange documents; and
• make business proposals.

Drafting is also a large aspect of my day-to-day work; I’ve helped draft client guides, articles, letters of advice, and an array of deeds, agreements and policies. Of course, all of the above must be proofread, which is also a necessary task. Both internal and external meetings and training sessions take place regularly to aid professional development and expose apprentices to distinct aspects of practice (eg, pro bono sessions).

How have you found juggling work with your study days?

Effective time management is an important skill when it comes to juggling work with studying; however, I’ve found that the allocated time for studying, and the study leave that’s granted in advance of an exam, has been sufficient and allowed me to apply myself fully to both work and study. That said, personal effective time management is incredibly important.

What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

The solicitor apprenticeship is a six-year commitment. As such, I’d advise that prospective applicants research the legal profession fully to determine whether it’s the right path for you. This can be done by attending insight days and seminars/webinars, undertaking related work experience, and simply reaching out to existing apprentices to hear their experiences.

How has AI impacted the work you do as a solicitor apprentice?

AI has been effective at streamlining a particular set of processes and activities, which allows for a greater focus on legal subject matter and minutiae. For example, language models have assisted me when summarising complex case details, vetting legal research and verifying citations, among other administrative tasks. As AI and data privacy continue to rapidly evolve, I look forward to seeing what the future of this space holds!

Josh Ovens is a solicitor apprentice at RPC. He’s currently studying in the general liability department. 

Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?

I studied law at A level and up to that moment it was the only subject that I wanted to take further. My teacher advised me to consider applying for a legal apprenticeship, which were fairly new at the time.

After discovering that I could earn while studying and obtain a degree without any student debt, I realised the benefits of qualifying via this route. I also valued having work experience – the apprenticeship route was a better fit for me as it allowed me to obtain the relevant experience that would benefit me later in my career.

What’s a typical day at work like?

RPC has a hybrid working policy, meaning I can choose to work from home or the office. I start by checking my emails and ensuring that I’m up to date on any new tasks. Once I’m caught up, I work on the tasks that need completing for the day and/or week. These can be wide ranging and include drafting, bundling, research and budgeting. As the apprenticeship has progressed, the amount and complexity of the work has increased, leading to more responsibility, which also ensures that I can complete all the skills that must be included in my apprenticeship portfolio.

I also have quarterly catch ups with my line manager at RPC and am assigned a supervisor within the team I’m working in to assist with any questions I might have, and provide support for tasks I’m working on.

How have you found juggling work with your study days?

Having a study day once a week alleviates the pressure of studying and working simultaneously. Once I found a system of studying that works for me, I’ve found that juggling work with studying became easier, and is now part of my weekly routine.

We also have quarterly meetings with our tutors at The University of Law. These sessions are arranged so that apprentices can regularly catch up, ensure that we’re staying up to date with our syllabus and can provide us with any additional support needed.

Will you be qualifying via the SQE?

Yes, I’ll be taking the SQE in 2026/27.

What’s the most enjoyable aspect of being an apprentice?

On a day-to-day basis, I most enjoy working with the paralegals and associates, and gaining experience and knowledge from them. Those opportunities are given to apprentices at such an early point and they provide apprentices with a platform to develop skills to carry forward.

On the more social side, I’ve also been involved with the firm’s football team and enjoy plenty of socials both firmwide and with the team.

What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

Do your research into the company, profession that you’re applying to and apprenticeships in general to make sure it’s the right choice for you. If you decide it’s the correct route, and you’re successful in your application, my advice would be to completely embrace it. You’ll gain so much more experience and knowledge by throwing yourself in. No apprentice has ever started with any expertise, so ask questions and get involved as much as possible.