Our legal lives: Ella Clarkson and Jagtara Taak

Ella Clarkson  

Ella, who has just turned 20, is currently in the second year of her solicitor-apprenticeship at Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds. Interested in problem-solving and critical thinking, Ella studied law at A-level. Not 100% sure she wanted to go to university, she decided to try and get work experience at a law firm in the summer before her exams. She researched firms in Leeds and Manchester, and came across Addleshaw Goddard, which offered work experience and legal apprenticeships.

Ella secured a week’s work experience. ‘I remember sitting in a deal kick-off call and being blown away [by] what kind of things I could get involved in if I was successful getting an apprenticeship.’ She also did drafting work and spent a day with in-house lawyers at HSBC.

It was during her work experience that Ella learned about apprenticeships. She decided to apply for apprenticeships and to universities.

Around 600 people applied for two apprenticeships at Addleshaw Goddard. Candidates had to go through six stages, including written assessments and a group task. Ella also secured a place at York, Leeds and Sheffield Hallam universities. ‘After considering the long-term route, just the exposure I would get from an apprenticeship, it was a no-brainer.’

'Even just observing other solicitors, you learn so much by osmosis'

Ella began her six-year apprenticeship in September 2024. During the first four years, she will rotate between different teams as an apprentice. In her final two years, she will transfer to the firm’s trainee pathway. 

In her first year, Ella worked in the real estate finance team, which gave her valuable insight into the details and intricacies of finance deals and the importance of attention to detail. Now in her second year, she is in the disputes team, reviewing large-scale commercial claims, assessing heads of loss and assisting with drafting legal documents.

Mondays are dedicated to her studies, which include a two-hour lecture at BPP.

Asked why solicitor-apprentices perform strongly in the SQE, she credits their years of being immersed in the profession. ‘Even just observing other solicitors, you learn so much by osmosis.’

Ella says she feels trusted within the organisation and is given valuable work. ‘People see you as a regular colleague.’

Jagtara Taak

Jagtara is in the third year of his apprenticeship at Loch in Tunbridge Wells. Not sure what career path he wanted to pursue and seeking to keep his options open, he did A-levels in law, business, finance and biology. Following his exams, he began researching apprenticeships. He used the Law Society’s website, as well as other publications, to understand the different apprenticeships available and how they compare to the traditional training contract route. 

He deferred his law place at Queen Mary University of London to try and gain experience of working in a law firm, applying for entry-level roles. He thought, ‘If I can gain experience internally in the firm, maybe I can progress to do an apprenticeship or they can support me with my career. If, after the first year, I think I want to take up law at university, I have that option’.

Jagtara joined Loch as an administrative assistant in September 2022. Three months later, he was promoted to trainee paralegal. He then persuaded the firm of the benefits of the apprenticeship route and became Loch’s first solicitor-apprentice in 2023.

He works closely with CEO Pam Loch, a solicitor, as well as other solicitors and colleagues in the firm’s legal, people and advisory divisions. His work covers areas such as dispute resolution, employment, corporate and commercial, family and immigration. Work with HR has included grievance investigations. He has worked with the marketing team to support clients navigating challenges introduced by the Employment Rights Act. Mondays are spent studying at BPP.

Jagtara has been invited to speak on BBC Radio about the value of apprenticeships. A career highlight? Winning the Lloyds Banking Group’s rising star of the year at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards last November. As for his future ambitions, he wants to become Loch’s youngest partner