The Company’s New Strategy concentrating on Opening the Company up to Apprentices, Trainees and Paralegals seeking Training Contracts and Apprenticeships: a call to take your place

When Edmund Parker, our now Immediate Past Master, assumed the role of Master last June, he set “Gateways” as the theme for his year—gateways to membership, fellowship, and opportunity. He soon realised that the demographics of the Company meant that we must encourage and bring in a new generation of City legal professionals, to vitalise the Livery Company for the generations to come.

Early on, Ed was inspired by speaking to one of our oldest members, now in his 90s, who told him that he joined in his 20s. But where were those in their 20s now, who might stay with the Company until their 90s. Ed and the Membership Convenor Group of our new Whittington LEMs Committee set out to find them, and our new Strategy set out to establish a new framework to draw-in this new generation.

Twelve months on from those initial thoughts, this vision has been realised in remarkable ways, as the City of London Solicitors’ Company has opened its doors wider than ever, welcoming a new generation of legal professionals into its historic fold. 

Central to this transformation was the adoption of a refreshed Strategy, approved by the Court in June. For almost the first time in its 116-year history, the Company now admits solicitor-apprentices, paralegals seeking training contracts, and trainees as associate members to the Company. We say “almost” as up until the 1990s, solicitor apprentices were an active cohort in the City and had some associate membership rights in the Company. As this category disappeared from the City in general, so did the membership. We are extremely proud to say that solicitor apprentices are back, and we in the Company are supporting them.

For our new cohort quarterage is set at accessible levels—£50 for apprentices and £100 for trainees. This bold move ensures that talent and ambition, rather than financial means, are the keys to entry. The result is a “reverse-Everest” demographic: a broad and diverse base of junior members, supported and inspired by the experience of senior solicitors at the summit. 

The benefits for new members are tangible and immediate. Each apprentice is paired with a mentor, and every trainee is offered networking opportunities, including the chance to meet and learn from senior figures in the legal profession.  

Through the Company’s thriving Sports Initiative, junior members are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities, from football and rugby to golf and tennis. Entry-level events such as the Hemel Hempstead snow trip and golf taster sessions we expect will be especially popular, providing a welcoming environment for those new to both the Company and their chosen sport.  

These activities not only foster camaraderie and wellbeing but also break down barriers, allowing apprentices and trainees to build relationships with established practitioners and leaders in the field. 

The launch of the History Society will add a new dimension to Company life, offering members the chance to explore legal and civic history through lectures, visits, and discussion forums. The Society’s inaugural weekend in Portsmouth was a resounding success, and plans are already underway for further societies—ranging from music and art to book clubs and beyond—ensuring that every member can find a community of shared interest. These societies enrich the intellectual and social fabric of the Company, providing yet more gateways for engagement and personal growth. 

The impact of these initiatives is already evident. Inter-Livery sports teams have seen record participation from junior lawyers, and Company lectures such as ‘Making Partner Through the Ages’ and ‘The City Lawyer of the 2050s’  have drawn enthusiastic audiences.  

Charitable partners report that seeing apprentices in Company colours inspires aspiration among school students, making the profession feel accessible and real. 

None of this progress would have been possible without the dedication of the Clerk’s office, committee chairs, and countless volunteers. Their efforts, alongside the warm welcome extended by members at every level, have ensured that the Company remains a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking institution. 

As the baton passes to the new Master, Virginia Cannon, the gateways opened this year promise a future where the City’s solicitors—present and future—find not only a professional home, but a thriving community in which to learn, grow, and belong. 

To all solicitor apprentices, trainees, and paralegals seeking training contracts: we urge you to seize this opportunity and become pioneers in shaping the future of the Company. 

Your energy, ideas, and ambition are vital to our continued growth and relevance.  

By joining now, you will not only benefit from the support and camaraderie of a diverse professional network, but you will also help set the tone for generations to come.  

Step forward, take your place, and help us build a Company that truly reflects the dynamism and diversity of the modern legal profession.  

The doors are open—be among the first to walk through and make your mark. ν