Moore Barlow has announced the retention of eight out of nine newly qualified solicitors from its latest trainee cohort, with one candidate opting to travel before beginning their career. The firm has welcomed Max Aitken, Tom Denman, Alice Spink, Antonia Elsom, Joanna Earl, Joey Johnson, Steph Harrison and Terri Martin into newly qualified roles across practice areas ranging from commercial and corporate to private client services. Charlotte Thompson has also qualified via the CILEx route, reinforcing the firm’s focus on accessible pathways into law.
Alongside these appointments, Moore Barlow has made twelve training contract offers this cycle, 75% of which were to female candidates, with eleven offers accepted. The new trainees include Elizabeth Brooke, Mea Adis, Grace Woodman, Kali Phelan, Issey Charlesworth, Chuk Chukwu-Etu, James McNulty, Lauren Browne, Louise Burwood and Beatrice Watts. This diverse intake highlights the firm’s appeal to emerging talent and the strength of its recruitment pipeline.
The firm’s retention and recruitment success reflects its broader commitment to accessibility and social mobility. Through its partnership with Inspire Law Global and engagement with local universities, Moore Barlow is widening its candidate pool and ensuring fair, merit-based selection. Last year, the firm also launched Moore Insights, a two-day masterclass designed to help A-Level students and first-year undergraduates prepare for training contract applications.
Debbie Moors, early careers manager and former commercial property lawyer, said: ‘I know from experience how tough the training years can be, and I’ve shaped my role around ensuring people have the support they need to succeed from application right through to qualification. Retaining eight of nine NQs this year is proof that our approach works. We want legal careers at Moore Barlow to be open to everyone with the ability and drive to succeed.’ The firm, recognised for its supportive culture and human-first ethos, continues to provide structured mentoring and tailored development programmes for its early-career lawyers.
