Global law firm DWF has strengthened its Manchester and Liverpool teams with 11 newly qualified solicitors continuing their careers with the business.
Eight are
based in Manchester and three in Liverpool, with both offices retaining 100 per
cent of their qualifying cohorts. The appointments reflect DWF’s continued
investment in developing legal talent and building expertise in the North West.
Having
grown from its North West roots into a global legal business, DWF’s Manchester
and Liverpool offices are home to specialists advising on significant national
and international matters. Newly qualified solicitors can build their careers
alongside that expertise in the region, supporting ambitious clients as they
grow at home and overseas.
The North
West colleagues form part of a UK-wide group of 30 newly qualified solicitors
continuing with DWF, representing 91 per cent of this year’s 33-strong qualifying
cohort. The remaining colleagues are based in London (8), Belfast (5), Scotland
(3), Birmingham (2) and Leeds (1).
The group
includes colleagues qualifying through trainee and solicitor apprenticeship
routes, with all those qualifying through the apprenticeship route retained.
The firm's
wider Early Careers programme supports routes into legal and business services
careers through training contracts, apprenticeships and sponsored professional
qualifications. These programmes combine practical workplace experience with
structured learning, supervision and mentoring to help colleagues develop and
progress.
Ella Bruce,
a Manchester-based solicitor apprentice who is due to qualify in September
2027, joined DWF straight from college at 18 and completed a paralegal
apprenticeship before progressing to the solicitor apprenticeship programme.
Ella added: “An
apprenticeship gave me the chance to start my legal career straight from
college, gaining practical experience while studying. It’s probably the best
decision I’ve ever made.
“I’ve
worked across different teams, managed my own files, taken cases through to
hearings and completed a secondment with one of DWF’s major global clients.
People at every level have been welcoming and willing to help me succeed.
“That
experience has shown me you can build a world-class legal career in Manchester,
working with international clients. I’ve never felt I needed to move to London
to access those opportunities.”
Joel Heap,
office managing partner at DWF in Manchester, said: “Qualification
is a significant milestone, and these colleagues have put a great deal of work
into reaching it. Seeing all 11 continue their careers with us in Manchester
and Liverpool is a great endorsement of the opportunities and support available
within the firm.
“Some of
our most significant national and international work is led by specialists
based here in the North West. For someone starting their legal career, that
means the opportunity to learn from those experts and contribute to that work
while building their future in the region."
This year, DWF has also welcomed eight new apprentices in Manchester, spanning both legal and business services roles.
