Practice Group Assistant - Apprentice
DECHERT LLP
London (EC4M 5UB)
Closes in 28 days (Thursday 14 May 2026)
Posted on 15 April 2026
Contents
Summary
Exciting opportunity to join an experienced practice management team at an Am Law 100 firm.
The Practice Group Assistant - Apprentice assists the EMEA Practice Management team with essential tasks, workflows and processes to ensure the efficient execution of strategic initiatives and daily operations.
- Wage
-
£22,500 a year
- Training course
- Business administrator (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday (9:30am-5:30pm - 1-hour lunch break each day, 35-hours a week)
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 20 July 2026
- Duration
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1 year 6 months
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Summary of duties include but are not limited to:
Workload Management:
- Update staffing and availability trackers/calendars; enter assignments and staffing coverage notes
- Post and manage sign-up sheets for client development, pro bono, and shadowing; compile responses
- Run standard utilization/time-entry reports; distribute; flag missing time or obvious anomalies
- Process leave/time off/overtime requests in systems; verify approvals; send reminders
- Maintain absence calendar; update entries per instructions
Talent Management:
- Schedule trainings; send invites; track RSVPs/attendance; manage recording uploads
- Prepare training materials using templates; update training logs
- Open evaluation cycles; collect self-evaluations/feedback; check completion; file materials
- Gather headcount inputs for laterals from templates; update headcount tracker
- Follow onboarding/deboarding checklists; track completion
- Maintain mentor/mentee lists
- Log secondment requests; update status and dates
- Arrange logistics for orientation, retreats, and meetings (rooms, catering, materials)
- Coordinate appreciation/milestone events (guest lists, invites, small gifts); process basic expenses
Partnership Matters:
Assemble promotion binders/packs from provided materials; apply formatting; verify completeness
Financial Management:
- Download and distribute standard weekly/monthly utilisation and financial reports
- Identify missing time and potential miscoded expenses; prepare correction lists; route and track closures
- Maintain simple event/conference budget trackers; collect receipts; reconcile against approvals
Meetings and Events:
- Book rooms/virtual links; send calendar invites; manage RSVPs and materials
- Draft agendas and slides using templates; compile provided content
- Record minutes; upload to repository; track follow-ups in a checklist; send reminders
- Maintain committee rosters and shared folders/sites (e.g., SharePoint/Teams)
Marketing and Client Development:
- Update bios, matter lists, and credentials per templates; ensure formatting consistency
- Process conference registrations; track approvals; coordinate travel info; maintain attendance logs
- Support marketing events logistics (invitations, guest lists, name badges); compile post-event attendance
Practice Management Collaboration:
- Maintain shared templates and process documents; ensure version control in repositories
- Pilot checklists; gather user feedback via simple surveys; compile summaries
Knowledge Management:
- Post updates to PG intranet pages; tag content; archive outdated materials
- Conduct periodic content audits; fix broken links; apply naming conventions
- Schedule tool demos/pilots with Research Services; collect user feedback via forms; summarise adoption notes
Any other ad hoc requests or project work as reasonably requested.
Where you'll work
Dechert LLP
25 Cannon Street
London
EC4M 5UB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
JGA LIMITED
Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
- Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
- Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
- Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
- Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
- Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
- Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
- Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.
Training schedule
Business Administrator Level 3.
Requirements
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
- Background check
- Conflicts check
- Right to work check
About this employer
Dechert is a global law firm, focused on sectors with the greatest complexities, legal intricacies and highest regulatory demands, we excel in delivering practical commercial judgment and deep legal expertise for high-stakes matters. We value openness, communication, integrity and honesty, thriving on the individual and collaborative efforts that are essential to producing excellent results. At Dechert, we are committed to attracting a diverse group of highly talented individuals from all sources, regardless of background. We seek to hire men and women with sharp minds, a passion for learning and the skills to deliver a level of client service that is distinctively Dechert. Dechert is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination. We are proud of our Firm and want everyone to feel welcome with an equal opportunity to excel.
After this apprenticeship
The apprentice will be well-equipped with their studies and experience in a law firm environment to excel in their career.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
JGA LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000025957.
Apply now
Closes in 28 days (Thursday 14 May 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.