Mollie Lawrence @ CPQ Level 3 Paralegal 

Progression, Confidence, and Creating a Future in Civil Litigation

Starting Out in Law 

When Mollie Lawrence began her CPQ Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship, she stepped straight into the credit hire team and quickly found herself managing real cases, learning on the job, and studying across multiple areas of law. The apprenticeship gave her structure, support, and the space to build strong legal foundations while gaining meaningful workplace experience. 

Throughout her programme, Mollie worked closely with Brightlink and Itec, balancing study with casework and developing the organisational skills and resilience needed in a fast-paced legal environment. Completing her qualification in April marked a turning point and she was already preparing for her next move. 

A Confident Career Shift 

Before receiving her results, Mollie made a bold decision: she applied to move internally from credit hire into the disease team, a department offering broader legal exposure and more complex claims. 

She didn’t know whether she’d transfer as an apprentice or as a qualified paralegal, but she trusted the skills she’d built through her apprenticeship and backed herself to take on something new. 

“I wanted to expand my legal knowledge… credit hire is quite niche. I thought hopefully I’d be able to pick it up quickly.” 

Since joining the disease team on 1 April, Mollie has taken on higher value claims, fast‑track work, and even multi‑track cases. She now attends all her trials, something she didn’t experience in her previous department, with her first listings already underway. 

Skills That Made the Difference 

Mollie credits her apprenticeship with giving her the confidence and capability to step into a new area of law. The programme helped her develop strong habits early on, from managing deadlines to handling complex information. 

“It majorly helped me with organisation and resilience… it gave me a lot of confidence.” 

Those skills have supported her transition into disease work, where she now collaborates closely with solicitors and manages a more varied caseload. 

Impact on Her Organisation 

Mollie was the only learner in her cohort to complete the apprenticeship, something she sees as a positive message for her employer and the wider business. 

“We are here to get our qualification… we want to pursue a career.” 

Her success has helped demonstrate the value of apprenticeships in law, showing that learners can progress quickly, contribute meaningfully, and bring fresh perspectives into legal teams. 

Why Apprenticeships Work in Legal Practice 

For Mollie, the biggest advantage of the apprenticeship route is the hands-on experience. 

“You get experience of having your own cases… knowing how cases start from the beginning to settling them, which is very different to reading it in a textbook.” 

She believes employers benefit from motivated learners who are gaining qualifications while actively supporting casework and at a significantly lower cost compared to SQE pathways. 

Growing Confidence & Proud Moments 

Reflecting on her journey, Mollie sees a clear shift in her confidence and professional identity. 

“I was so quiet… and now I’m nothing like that.” 

She’s proud of completing the apprenticeship, proving to herself that she could succeed and progress. 

Looking Ahead 

Mollie has chosen to continue her legal journey through the CILEX route, now progressing through the Advanced Stage funded by her employer. Her goal is to qualify in civil litigation, with plans to cross‑qualify in either family or business law. 

She also sees herself stepping into leadership roles in the future, supporting teams and helping others develop. 

“One day I’d like to go into more of a management type of role… I like helping our team.” 

A Clear Path Forward 

For Mollie, the apprenticeship wasn’t just a qualification; it was the foundation of her entire legal career. 

“It’s definitely a good stepping stone to starting your career… rather than going to university.” 

Her journey shows exactly what apprenticeships can offer: structure, progression, and the confidence to take on new challenges.