Paris Smith apprentices Francesca Hatton and Sam Panayides
Published: February 7, 2024 | Updated: 7th February 2024
Hampshire law firm Paris Smith has welcomed the first cohort of college leavers to the Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme it launched back in July.

Francesca Hatton and Sam Panayides, both 19 years old, have joined the Family and Marketing & Business Development departments respectively.
Over their six year apprenticeship with the firm, they will move across different departments to gain vital on-the-job experience while studying for a law degree.
Huw Miles, Managing Partner. said: “Many of the old barriers to enter the legal profession have gone and that is a very good thing.
“The Solicitor Apprentice Programme has opened up a career in law to a wider range of people and both our profession and our clients will be the richer for it.
“We’re all so pleased to welcome Francesca and Sam this week at the start of what we hope will be an exciting and rewarding journey with Paris Smith.”
Paris Smith has nurtured apprentices in its non-legal teams for many years and currently also has three secretary apprentices working at the firm.
Huw continued: “Giving aspiring young professionals the right opportunity, training and personal guidance is a huge focus of our firm. We are there to support our Solicitor Apprentices every step of the way through to qualification and will remain with them in their rewarding careers.
“The legal profession is changing and I feel excited for the future and the opportunities that this new diverse generation of lawyers will bring.”
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