Lewis Silkin LLP has announced 100% trainee retention for the third year running, with four trainee lawyers due to qualify and remain at the firm this year.
Two trainees will join the employment legal practice group, with one joining each of the commercial practice group and the intellectual property practice group respectively. One trainee, previously a paralegal at the firm, is based in Cardiff and qualified early in March 2020, while the remaining three are due to qualify in September.
The firm also announced it will run its apprenticeship scheme into 2020/21, with two apprenticeships being offered. The Solicitor Apprenticeship is a six-year route to qualifying as a solicitor aimed at young aspiring lawyers, in which participants work four days a week at the Lewis Silkin office, and one day studying for an LLB (Hons) in Law and Practice from BPP University. In order for apprentices to be based in the office with their supervisors, ensuring adequate supervision and full integration into the team, the start date has been delayed from September 2020 to January 2021.
Giles Crown, joint managing partner at Lewis Silkin, commented: ‘Amid the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown, I’m very proud that we have once again been able to retain all of our qualifying trainees. Our people have played a vital role in helping us and our clients navigate the challenges of recent months, and it is by investing in and nurturing the best and brightest that we can ensure our continued growth and success. Each of the current cohort of trainees has demonstrated excellent quality of work in addition to taking what has been a unique set of circumstances in their stride. We look forward to continuing to work with them all in the next stage of their careers here.’
Richard Miskella, joint managing partner at Lewis Silkin, added: ‘Alongside the progression of our trainees, I am also pleased that we are able to continue offering our apprenticeship programme this year. We remain committed to attracting great talent at all levels and it has been a conscious decision in line with our culture and values to not sacrifice that aim during these testing times. This six-year route to qualifying as a solicitor offers a hugely exciting opportunity for aspiring young professionals and we’re excited to meet and work with the next generation of excellent, ambitious and enthusiastic lawyers.’
