Ambitious Latoyah Thompson will be Higgs LLP’s first Solicitor Apprentice.

Latoyah, 30, will study for the Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship (Law Essentials), which is due to complete at the start of 2025.

Having studied Law at A-Level, Latoyah completed a BA (Hons) degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Wolverhampton.

She went on to work at the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), an executive agency to the Ministry of Justice, for six years.

Within these roles, she supported executive case managers and closely supported in-house government lawyers to represent the Public Guardian within the Court of Protection in applications relating to Lasting Powers of Attorney, Enduring Powers of Attorney and court appointed deputies.

But, keen to fast-track her dream of becoming a solicitor, Latoyah learned of the new Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship.

“I am extremely excited to start my journey to qualifying as a solicitor,” she said. “I will be Higgs LLP’s first Solicitor Apprentice, which is a huge honour.

“The Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship is excellent for anyone with a degree thinking of becoming a solicitor as it’s a quicker route to qualification. Usually, you would need to obtain your LPC before starting your two-year training contract but under the solicitor graduate apprenticeship, you study and work at the same time.

“Your studies are fully funded with your employer taking advantage of the Apprenticeship Levy. This isn’t always the case with training contracts.

“My goals for my apprenticeship are to deal with a variety of different clients, specialise and qualify in Court of Protection and to develop my academic approach to the law.”