National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Reflections and celebrations

In this article, Max Callus and Phoebe Booth share some reflections on their career journeys as apprentices at the firm.

It was National Apprenticeship Week in February – a time to celebrate all the wonderful business and legal apprentices at the firm. This year also marks Burges Salmon’s tenth year of recruiting legal apprentices, which is a milestone we are incredibly proud of. To commemorate this, we asked two of our current apprentices to share their reflections on their career journeys and achievements.

Max Callus, Legal Apprentice

Over the past 18 months, my legal apprenticeship at Burges Salmon has played a defining role in shaping both my professional development and understanding of the industry. Working within a leading law firm while studying alongside my role has allowed me to test academic concepts in real time, develop professional judgment skills, and gain a practical appreciation of the profession. I have been trusted to support fee earners on live matters, taking responsibility for discrete tasks that contribute directly to progressing client work. This has helped me to build strong foundations in drafting, client communication and commercial awareness, while continuously learning from experienced professionals across the firm and taking ownership of the quality of my work.

I would strongly recommend a legal apprenticeship to anyone seeking an alternative pathway into the profession as it combines academic study with high quality, hands on experience. Burges Salmon has talented and supportive professionals who are invested in developing future lawyers and maintaining the firm’s high standards of client service. The apprenticeship route offers an invaluable opportunity to build practical legal skills early and develop professional resilience.

Phoebe Booth, Project Management Apprentice

I’m reflecting on my journey as a Project Management Apprentice at Burges Salmon and why choosing an apprenticeship has turned out to be a significant career step for me. Coming straight out of A-Levels into an apprenticeship, I wasn’t completely sure if I was making the right decision. Like many people at that stage, I felt apprehensive about what the next four years of my life might look like and whether I was choosing the “right” route into the professional world.

However, it didn’t take long for me to realise that I had chosen what I would now say is one of the best first steps into a career in project management. It became clear that an apprenticeship offered something genuinely different, something far better suited to how I learn and develop. The combination of classroom learning alongside hands‑on experience has been invaluable, especially in project management, where theory comes to life through real-world scenarios.

Looking back over the last two and a half years at Burges Salmon, one of the most valuable aspects has been the balance of trust and support. From early on, I’ve been given real responsibility and meaningful work, while also having the reassurance of guided support from managers, mentors, and wider teams around me. Being surrounded by experienced colleagues every day has played a huge part in my development, you’d be surprised how much you naturally absorb simply by being part of the workplace!

Not only have I seen real growth in my immediate professional capabilities, but also in my confidence and people skills. Whilst it hasn’t always been easy, it’s rewarding to look back at the projects I’ve contributed to and recognise how far I’ve come, knowing there is still more to learn as I approach the final years of my course. I would encourage anyone considering their next career step, whether starting out like me or changing direction, to explore what apprenticeships can offer.