National Apprenticeship Week – Simran Matharu, Apprentice Solicitor

This is an exciting National Apprenticeship Week for Fenchurch Law, as this year, we have our first apprentice on board. To mark NAW 2025, we asked legal apprentice Simran Matharu to share her experiences so far on the City Century apprenticeship scheme.

I’m excited to be Fenchurch Law’s first apprentice, choosing a degree apprenticeship was the perfect path for me, allowing me to gain real-world legal experience while working towards my qualification. Fenchurch Law’s specialist focus and supportive environment make it the ideal place to start my career, and I look forward to learning from experts in the field. Being part of the City Century apprenticeship scheme is empowering from my perspective. The programme not only creates valuable opportunities but also organises insightful events for current apprentices, featuring inspiring individuals from whom I gain invaluable knowledge.

I have always known that the traditional post-school route into university was not for me. However, I still wanted to pursue a higher education, and despite not wanting to follow a conventional route, I still wanted to embark on a conventional career. Having grown up in a family with many lawyers, I knew that a legal role was something I would do well in.

It has been really encouraging to see that saying no to university is no longer a limitation. In fact, saying no to university has helped me onto the job ladder quicker than a degree, and has offered me stability in the early stages of my career.

My day to day is very varied, and my first couple of years here will be mostly centered on integrating me into the office and learning about the industry we work in. In a week I spend four days working at Fenchurch Law as an apprentice and then one day studying at university.

This is my first job, so it has been helpful and enlightening to start in the operations team. I work with the operations team, performing tasks from billing, to answering calls, as well as saving and posting invoices. But I have also learnt about new software like Salesforce, Amiqus and Quill.  I’m looking forward to moving onto Business Development in the coming year, as I’d love to learn more about how a successful boutique law firm grows and establishes its strong reputation.

At the end of my six years, I will have obtained both an LLB (Hons) in Legal Practice Skills and a SQE Qualification to become an England & Wales Solicitor, which will be great. But I think that a major benefit of this apprenticeship is that I will have gained a true understanding of working within the legal environment.

I have already learnt so much about myself, and have developed new skills that are only realised when you have participated in office life.

Having studied Philosophy, Politics, and Spanish in school, the insurance world was not something I knew a great deal about, like many my age. Instead I kept my options open, applying for as many legal apprenticeships as I could. Since joining Fenchurch Law, the team have been great at introducing me to the insurance market, and it is something I have now taken a real interest in.

I feel lucky to have already started working in such a specialised, niche area. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and I am really excited to see what I can achieve in the next six years.

‘We are excited to be part of this initiative and it has been a privilege to have Simran join the team. She has already shown herself to be a real asset and we are looking forward to seeing her grow during her time with us and to being part of her journey to qualification.’ – Joanna Grant, Managing Partner at Fenchurch Law.