From Receptionist to Criminal Paralegal: Lucy’s Apprenticeship Journey

When people imagine a career in law, they often picture a traditional path. A law degree, years at university, and a formal training contract.

But that isn’t the only way! Lucy’s journey highlights an increasingly recognised route into the legal profession: qualifying through structured work-based learning rather than returning to full-time university study.

When Lucy first joined JR Levins nearly four years ago, she joined as a receptionist. Today, she works as a Criminal Paralegal and is training to become a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate, building her legal career through apprenticeships rather than the traditional university route.

Lucy originally studied Psychology at university, and like many people, she believed that qualifying as a lawyer meant completing a law degree and following a fixed academic path. It was only after learning about legal apprenticeships that she realised there was another route available.

Lucy completed her Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship while working full time at JR Levins. That experience allowed her to develop both practical and academic skills simultaneously. She has since moved into her current role within the firm’s Criminal Defence team has begun a further apprenticeship through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX), working towards qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate.

Her apprenticeship involves attending monthly lectures across a range of legal topics, building and maintaining a professional portfolio, and undertaking regular assessments. Alongside this, she continues to work full time, gaining experience in criminal law and applying her learning directly within her day-to-day role.

For Lucy, the ability to combine study with employment has been central to her progression. As she explains,

“Doing an apprenticeship allows you to further your career whilst still working and earning money. Being able to work whilst completing your studies puts you at an advantage because you can put what you’re learning into practice straight away.”

Legal apprenticeships have continued to grow in recent years, reflecting rising interest in work-based training as a route into professional careers. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 353,500 apprenticeship starts in England. Higher-level apprenticeships, including those at degree level, accounted for a growing share of starts, indicating stronger demand for advanced professional pathways.

Routes such as those offered by the CILEX provide recognised alternatives to traditional academic routes, particularly for graduates from other disciplines or individuals seeking a practical route into legal careers.

Lucy’s progression within JR Levins, from receptionist to Criminal Paralegal and now working towards Chartered status, reflects both her own commitment and the firm’s approach to professional development. Supporting apprenticeships allows the firm to invest in long-term growth, building experience and capability within the team over time.

For anyone considering this route, her advice is straightforward.

“If you are thinking about doing an apprenticeship, I would definitely tell you to go for it!”

Her experience demonstrates that a legal career does not follow a single prescribed path. Structured apprenticeships provide a credible and increasingly common route to qualification, combining academic study with meaningful, practical experience from the outset.

We are currently recruiting for a Business Apprenticeship role within the firm. Details of the position and application process are available here: Business Apprenticeship Vacancy