Corporate and Commercial Graduate Apprentice Solicitor – Bristol city centre

  • Employment type: Full Time
  • Team: Corporate + Commercial
  • Location: Bristol City Centre

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Graduate to join our Corporate and Commercial department in Bristol city centre as a Graduate Apprentice Solicitor to meet increasing client work demands and assist with the department’s continued growth.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our growing and successful Commercial Services division, which consists of several specialist departments including Commercial Property, Commercial Litigation and Property Litigation, and Employment, as well as the Corporate and Commercial team. The successful candidate will undertake legal work and contribute to the department in line with the firm’s business plan under supervision of a senior lawyer within the team.

Candidates with the Legal Practice Course or any SQE qualifications are ineligible to apply.

The role

Our Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme has been designed to provide immediate, direct exposure to a range of live cases, giving you the opportunity to gain invaluable experience. Throughout the programme, you will be assisted and trained in the required practice area of Corporate and Commercial. You will build your workload providing a profitable contribution to the department in line with the firm’s policies and protocols and with the aim of meeting your monthly individual fee and time targets.

You will have monthly 121 meetings with your supervisor, and in line with our firm’s culture and aim to nurture and ‘grow our own’ talent, we will support and mentor your own development and progression aligned with the business needs of the department and firm.

Apprentices can expect to be involved in:

  • The legal process of buying and selling businesses and companies
  • Setting up companies
  • Providing advice to early-stage businesses
  • Drafting shareholders’ agreements
  • Advising on terms and conditions and other commercial contracts
  • Corporate governance advisory matters
  • Exit of shareholders, including share transfers and buybacks

Admin duties

  • Opening files
  • Attending client meetings with fee earners
  • Preparing draft documentation
  • Administering online data rooms
  • Contacting clients and opposing parties
  • Liaising with third parties
  • Organising documents and entering information into our practice management system
  • Preparation of emails and bills

The role will involve increasing levels of responsibility with experience and:

  • You will be expected to pass the probationary period of at least six months
  • You will be enrolled on the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme with the University of Law on the earliest possible date
  • When enrolled on the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, you will work four days a week in the relevant department and one day a week ‘off the job’ studying as required
  • You will be granted study leave as required by the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme in advance of the SQE 1 and 2 exams
  • You will work five days a week in the department before being enrolled with the University of Law and when there is no requirement for ‘off the job’ studying or study leave
  • You must be prepared to study in your own time as required

All other expectations are summarised in the Graduate Apprenticeship Programme Pack which will be given to the successful candidate when they join the firm. The Apprenticeship is delivered mainly online, meaning you will spend most of your time studying independently. Read our guide to Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeships.

Throughout the programme and beyond, you will be expected to exercise high standards of client care professionally and pleasantly at all times.

About us

Barcan and Kirby is well known in the Bristol legal market both as a provider of excellent legal services for individuals and businesses, and as a progressive employer.

We are committed to developing and nurturing our people, and encouraging positive wellbeing and mental health is central to our culture. We encourage open communication and foster a culture where colleagues are supported in achieving a real work/life balance.

At Barcan and Kirby, we work hard to maintain a culture of kindness and friendliness, and welcome applications from individuals who fit with our values.

We like to think that we do things a bit differently from other law firms.

The ideal candidate

  • Have a Law degree (minimum 2:1)
  • Hold an English and Maths GCSE – Grade 4 minimum (or UK equivalent)
  • Be computer literate and be confident in using and adapting to new systems and processes

As apprentices have employment status, you must have the right to permanently work and live in the UK. You will be required to provide evidence of your eligibility as part of the recruitment and onboarding process. Apprenticeships are not covered by student visas.

Location and working hours

  • Full-time (office hours are 9am – 5.15pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Fixed-term contract until completion of Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme (minimum 24 months)
    • Where possible, the firm hopes to place the Apprentice in a qualified role, but this will be subject to business need at the time of qualification
  • The role is based at our Prince House office in Bristol city centre

Belonging at Barcan and Kirby

We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive working environment. We want you to bring your true self to work and encourage applications from anyone who embodies our values, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, disability status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodiversity or anything else that makes you, you.

If there is anything we can do to make things more comfortable for you as part of the application process, including making a reasonable adjustment, please let us know by emailing recruitment@barcankirby.co.uk.

Salary

  • The salary for this role is £15,080 per annum

Closing date for applications

Applications for this role close at 9am on Wednesday 28th October, with interviews on Monday 16th November at our Prince House office.

Applicants will be notified on the week commencing 2nd November 2026 if they are shortlisted for interview.

Application process

Applicants are required to:

  • Provide a CV and covering letter (this should include why you want to become a solicitor; why you want to work for Barcan and Kirby and what interests you about working in the Corporate and Commercial department)

Applicants invited to interview will be expected to:

  • Complete a pre-interview task
  • Attend an interview, during which you will present your pre-interview task, answer set questions, and complete a written task

How to apply

Ready to apply for this role? Send us your CV and cover letter using the form below. Got a question? Email our recruitment team.