Firm welcomes trainee solicitors
Ward Hadaway has welcomed 14 new trainee solicitors and one solicitor apprentice. The 15 recruits are based across the firm’s three regional offices in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. It brings the company’s total headcount to over 500 and will see the trainees undertake two years of training before qualifying in 2026, with the apprentice qualifying in 2030.
Partner and training principal Matt Cormack said: ‘It’s my pleasure to welcome the class of 2024 to Ward Hadaway. To have been awarded a training contract with the firm is testament to the skills and aptitude that our new trainees have demonstrated to secure their place on our award-winning programme.
‘At Ward Hadaway a key focus is on supporting our people at every stage of their career to be their best, to develop news skills and to lead the way in progressive legal practice. Our trainees are no different, and they will each enjoy a structured training programme, where they gain a breadth of experience across various legal disciplines, as well as the support and mentorship of our more experienced lawyers at various stages of their careers.
‘I’m looking forward to working with them all and wish them every success as they navigate the path to their new career.’
Caroline Jones, emerging talent manager, who oversees the training programme, said: ‘September is always an exciting time of year at Ward Hadaway as we welcome the latest crop of emerging talent to the firm. As we welcome a new cohort, we also celebrate those graduating from the programme after two years of hard work. Seven of those are staying at the firm in their newly qualified roles, and we look forward to supporting our new trainees in developing towards that same goal.’
The trainees (pictured above) are Dania Abu-Harb, Josh Cela, Laurence Colgan, Charlie Davies, Sophie Edgar, Ella Edmunds, Alice Ferguson, Abigail McAllister, Laura McLaughlin, Liam Middleton, Aisha Rutherford, Olivia Smith, Elizabeth Swales, Anna Thorp and Nick Williams.
Speaking about her traineeship, Elizabeth Swales said: ‘My fellow trainees and I are delighted to have secured training contracts at Ward Hadaway. The firm has a stellar reputation for helping mould the legal talent of the future, and it’s inspiring to know that many of the partners and senior people here started where we are now.’
