They came, they studied, they qualified - meet our first apprentice solicitors

Pioneers of a new route into law 

For Mat, qualification represents both an ending and a beginning: 

“Qualifying represents the culmination of a long journey of learning, growth, and perseverance. It marks not only the achievement of a significant personal goal but also the beginning of a new chapter where I take on even greater independence and responsibility in my work.” 

For Nicolle, the moment still feels slightly unreal: 

“In truth, I’m lost for words. I’m still trying to process it all. Qualifying as a solicitor feels surreal. I’ve been working towards this moment for years, so to finally reach it is both exciting and incredibly emotional.” 

Both chose the apprenticeship pathway for its mix of practical learning, real responsibility, and the chance to grow within a supportive firm from day one. 

Mat chose the apprenticeship path for the blend of study and real experience: 

“The apprenticeship route offered the ideal combination of academic study and practical experience. It allowed me to develop my legal skills in real time and to see the direct impact of what I was learning. On a personal level, it also gave me the opportunity to qualify in England while ensuring my development remained balanced, grounded, and practice-focused.” 

Nicolle’s route into law was unconventional from the start: 

“My journey started out in politics so I’ve had an unconventional path into law. Choosing the apprenticeship route gave me the opportunity to learn on the job so-to-speak because I wanted to know if I’d made the right decision. I’ve had the benefit of learning from the most experienced solicitors and had the ability to apply knowledge from my studies at work which has been incredibly valuable to my development.” 

Highlights, challenges and what they learned along the way 

When asked about the standout moment, Mat doesn’t hesitate: 

“Qualifying is definitely the standout moment.” 

But it’s the client moments that stay with him: 

“I’ve been fortunate to experience many moments where clients have shown genuine gratitude. Those interactions remind me that even the tasks that feel routine, contribute in meaningful ways to people’s lives. They reinforce that our work isn’t just paperwork, it has real, tangible impact.” 

For Nicolle, the highlight is growth: 

“How much I’ve grown, both professionally and personally. When I think back to my first day at Greenwoods as a Paralegal over three years ago to now, where I’ve built strong relationships with clients and feel confident taking ownership of my work is the highlight of my apprenticeship journey.” 

Support from the Greenwoods community 

Both speak about the same thing when asked what made the difference: people. 

“Greenwoods is defined by its people,” says Mat. “Working at Greenwoods has shown me that excellence is rooted in collaboration. Complex matters require effective teamwork, and being part of a well-integrated team has taught me that shared expertise leads to better outcomes for clients and helps build confidence as a developing lawyer.” 

And Nicolle puts it even more simply: 

“Greenwoods has changed my life… I’ve trained not only with the best talent but colleagues who’ve been incredibly supportive and some of which are now great friends. …Greenwoods has shaped me into a professional, well-rounded and client-focused solicitor. I’ve learned that being a good solicitor isn’t just about knowing the law; it’s about listening carefully, communicating clearly and understanding what really matters to clients.” 

We are incredibly proud of Nicolle and Mateusz – not only for qualifying, but for shaping what the future of Greenwoods looks like. They bring energy, insight and a modern approach to law, and we are excited to see what they achieve next.