We're currently looking for an Apprentice to join our IT & Complex Automations team on a full-time, permanent basis. This role can be based in our Bristol, Newcastle or Plymouth office. 

The team:

First-class IT systems are absolutely key to the success of any business in today's commercial world and the legal sector is no exception. Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP prides itself on being at the forefront of technological advancements within the legal profession, something we've become well known for. To remain competitive in our markets, and to continue supporting our growth strategies, our team of dedicated IT professionals have a key role to play, ensuring the integrity of the IT infrastructure, development of new and existing systems and excellent support to all of our employees, and clients.

What will you be doing?

Our AI and Automations Apprenticeship offers you the opportunity to gain a formal IT qualification (AI & Automation Specialist Level 4 Apprenticeship ) as well as receiving paid on-the-job training.

This is a new roledesigned to develop internal capabilities in the fields of AI deployment and automation as part of our "grow your own" strategy.

The role's principal responsibilities are:

• Support the delivery of AI‑enabled and complex automation solutions for legal and business teams.
• Assist in designing, building, testing and deploying workflows, data capture tools and AI‑assisted processes.
• Contribute to automations integrating with Microsoft 365, HighQ, Copilot agents and other core platforms.
• Help gather requirements, map processes and identify opportunities for automation and AI.
• Build skills in workflow automation, AI extraction and responsible AI use in a legal environment.
• Support testing, quality assurance and clear documentation for new solutions.
• Help monitor live automations, troubleshoot issues and identify improvements.
• Work collaboratively across Innovation,Legal Technology, IT and business teams; contribute to workshops and demos.
• Engage fully in the apprenticeship programme, developing core technical, problem‑solving and communication skills.

So what are we looking for?

We are seeking an individual with the right attitude, curiosity and motivation to develop in this apprenticeship role, rather than someone with extensive prior experience. A genuine interest in Automation and AI is essential, alongside the ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with colleagues across legal, business and technical teams.

As this is an apprenticeship, we are looking for indicators of interest—such as self‑directed learning, school or college projects, participation in relevant clubs, or personal exploration of technology, coding logic or automation.

You should have an emerging understanding of how AI can support professional services and be willing to work within responsible AI, data‑protection and confidentiality frameworks. The role requires professionalism, a willingness to ask questions and seek feedback, and the ability to manage time effectively while balancing day‑to‑day responsibilities with structured apprenticeship learning.

Lastly, you should demonstrate ethical awareness and respect for the sensitivity of client and firm information, ensuring that all work is carried out safely, responsibly and in line with firm policies.

To be successful for this role you will possess the minimum criteria:

• A‑levels, T‑levels, BTEC, or equivalent vocational qualifications demonstrating interest in technology, problem‑solving or business processes.
• GCSEs (or equivalent), including Maths and English at grade 4/C or above.
• Strong general IT skills, including confident use of Microsoft 365 tools (Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint)
• Curiosity and aptitude for learning automation and AI tools used in a professional environment (e.g. workflow automation, AI‑assisted analysis, copilots), without requiring prior experience
• Ability to work carefully with structured data, documents and outputs, checking accuracy and consistency.

We continually work hard to create an open culture that sets us apart from other firms. Our culture gives us much more of a human feel, emphasising that we're more than just suits!

As signatories to the Mindful Business Charter, it's important to us that our people are able to maintain healthy and happy lives, both in and out of work. We have a number of resources and initiatives designed to support health and wellbeing and we're very happy to talk flexible working.

Through our DEI initiatives we create an environment in which difference is valued. We have an Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Group, led by our Board Sponsor, which works with our colleague networks (we currently have firm supported networks for race, ethnicity, and cultural heritage, LGBTQ+, disabilities, neurodiversity, families, and women's career development and we're in constant dialogue with our people about how we expand our networks to better support everybody). Find out more about DEI at WBD here. We encourage applicants from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, disabilities, gender identities and sexual orientations.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. If you have a disability or long term condition and need us to make any adjustments to give you the best possible recruitment process, please let us know by contacting the recruiter on the right hand side of this page. Please also let us know if you need this job advert or the application form in a different format.

We will offer an interview to candidates with a disability or long-term condition who meet the minimum criteria for this role. You can opt into this scheme within the application form. Your response to this question is only used for this purpose, is only visible to the recruitment team and is not used for data monitoring. 

We are an in-house recruitment team and will always aim to fill our roles directly in the first instance. If you're an agency, please click here for ways that you can work with us.