Trainee Solicitor Programme: Your journey to a career in ... · culture will ensure you are...

Trainee Solicitor Programme: Your journey to a career in law starts here

Newcastle | Leeds | Manchester

We want people whose ambitions match our own - to offer the highest quality legal advice. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive, flexible and stimulating environment where people can develop their careers and fulfil their true potential.

Who we are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04

What we do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06

Where we are . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08

Why train with us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09

What route should I take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Our vacation scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

How to apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Your training contract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Training and development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Rewards and benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Life after qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Social . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Community and Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

ContentsApply . Develop . Succeed | 32 | Ward Hadaway

Our next generation of lawyers

Apply . Develop . Succeed | 5


Ward Hadaway is one of the UK’s Top 100 law firms and a major player in the North of England with offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester . We have a substantial client base of regional, national and international clients from the private and public sectors, as well as looking after the personal interests of private individuals .

As a firm we have achieved successful growth in recent years and we now employ more than 450 staff, with over 80 partners . We offer a full range of legal services to clients across the private and public sectors as well as bespoke advice to individuals .

We are proud to be rated as one of the leading law firms in the country by independent legal guides Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners and have acknowledged national experts across a wide range of specialist areas .

We recognise that an exceptional service can only be provided by exceptional people . That’s why we strive to recruit, recognise and reward the very best of legal talent .

Our culture and values set us apart from other firms and we want people whose ambitions match our own – that is to deliver the best possible service for our clients .

We truly value our client and workforce diversity . By joining Ward Hadaway, you’ll have the opportunity to interact and work with some of the best lawyers and specialists in the sector who will support and inspire you every day . As a trainee you’ll be offered varied and challenging work from our great client portfolio, but rest assured, our friendly and open culture will ensure you are supported and motivated to become the best that you can be .

We hope this brochure helps you to envisage your own future with us . We can’t promise that your developmental journey will be free of challenge but we know it will be rewarding . We know what we do well at Ward Hadaway and investing in and developing the future talent pipeline for our firm is as critical to us now as it ever has been . We hope our journey is one that inspires you and thank you for considering us as your firm of choice .

Jamie MartinManaging Partner

At Ward Hadaway, we believe developing close relationships founded on understanding and communication are the key to an effective partnership that is enjoyed by both our employees and our clients . It is these solid relationships that have fuelled the substantial growth we’re proud to have achieved, and we know that continuing to grow means we must also invest in the future talent of the legal profession . Our reputation in the North and beyond is one of excellence, and undertaking your training contract with us means you’ll be an integral part of that . You’ll work hard from day one helping us as a firm to cut through the legal maze by providing commercial and pragmatic solutions for our clients, gaining their trust and forging your own career path in the process . Our clients face an important decision in choosing the right lawyers to advise them, and so must we give equal importance in choosing the right lawyers to represent us as a firm . If you see that as a challenge, an opportunity and a role that you believe is made for you, then you’re already on your way to joining us .

Julie HuntingdonTraining Principal

Trainee recruitment is always an exciting time, from attending law fairs, to receiving applications, to inviting candidates in for Vacation Schemes, and we’re constantly on the look-out for the best people . As a Top 100 law firm, we have a broad range of departments for you to experience and clients for you to meet, which you’ll learn more about in this brochure and first hand if you have the intellect, drive and strength of character to succeed . But it’s also important to look behind our hard work and our valued clients to our culture and environment . We want trainees who will come to work each day and be inspired by our shared vision of national business from a Northern base . It’s this shared vision that brought me to the firm, having worked with Ward Hadaway as an in-house lawyer . I was impressed by the friendly yet hard-working vibe here – I knew it was the right firm for me . I’m enjoying the many challenges of my fee-earning role alongside dedicating time as Training Principal . I’m looking forward to recruiting our next generation of lawyers – this is your opportunity to make us the starting point for your journey .

We are proud to be highly regarded as one of the most prominent full-service law firms in the North – we are a Northern law firm for National Business .

Who we are

4 | Ward Hadaway

“An exceptional service can only be provided by exceptional people. That’s why we strive to recruit, recognise and reward the very best in legal talent”

“Clients were impressed with the friendly, less regimented approach…everyone mucks in and the effort is fantastic.”

CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS

“Quality advice regionally that is unlikely to be bettered even in London.”

LEGAL 500



As a full-service commercial firm, there’s plenty of opportunity to get involved in different areas of the business . From handling private matters in the family arena right through to M&A and Corporate Finance activity, there’s always plenty of work to get your teeth into .

Our long-standing ties with NHS Trusts and local authorities – from across the country – keep us busy with property, healthcare and litigation matters .

We recognise that doing business in today’s world requires a global reach as well as a local focus . The ability to do business both in the North, nationally and outside the UK is important, and we have years of experience helping companies of all kinds with their local and international business needs .

The majority of our work is commercial and we have a range of clients – including individuals, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, fast growing companies, large companies, high profile PLCs and international businesses from across all industries .

What we do

6 | Ward Hadaway

» Banking and Finance

» Commercial

» Commercial Litigation

» Commercial Property

» Construction

» Corporate

» Corporate Recovery and Insolvency

» Debt Recovery

» Employment

» Health and Safety

» Intellectual Property

» IT

» Licensing

» Pensions

» Property Litigation

» Regulatory

» Sport

» Crime and Prosecutions

» Countryside and Estates

» Family and Matrimonial

» Notary Public

» Personal Injury

» Private Client

» Wills and Trusts

» Charities and Social Enterprise

» Education

» Healthcare

» Local Government

» Projects/PFI

» Public Sector

For Business For Private Individuals

For Public Services

DevelopDEVELOPDevelop SucceedSucCeedSucceedApplyApplyApply



Ward Hadaway was formed in Newcastle, the largest of the three offices, in 1988 . The offices are based on the vibrant Newcastle Quayside with views of the iconic Tyne Bridge and The Baltic Modern Art Gallery . The city itself is renowned for its social scene; there’s a strong community of young professionals and with a wide range of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops there’s plenty to keep you entertained in town . The beautiful scenery of Northumberland is just a short journey away and there’s an international airport for those wanting to go further afield .

We are looking for exceptional candidates to develop successful, fulfilling careers in the law and help us to continue to deliver a great service to our clients . We’re committed to developing you as future legal professionals . We’ve made that possible by creating a stimulating, supportive and rewarding environment in each of our offices to ensure trainee lawyers can maximise their potential . But don’t just take it from us, read here what our trainees have to say!

Our Manchester office opened in 2012 giving us a true pan-Northern network . Although it is the smallest of our offices, it has big ambition . As the fastest growing regional economy outside of London, Manchester was the perfect choice for our third office . Conveniently located in the city centre, the office is surrounded by public transport links and plenty of bars and restaurants . A creative hub, Manchester has a range of independently funded exhibition and event venues putting on regular experiences, and it is famed for its music and sports scenes .

Whilst our outlook is never narrow, we are unashamedly a Northern Law Firm for National Business, with offices in three of the most vibrant cities the North of the UK has to offer . We believe that the combination of leading national legal specialists with a down to earth approach but without the London overheads is hard to beat . That’s just one reason why we will always be proud to be made in the North .

At Ward Hadaway, we believe in investing in our people . That means the future of our people just as much as the future of our clients .

Where we are Why train with us?

8 | Ward Hadaway

Newcastle

manchester

“ The initial appeal to Ward Hadaway was that the firm had opened a new office in Manchester and posted its best ever financial results, despite tough economic conditions and other firms collapsing or merging around them – it shows the firm is well run and realistically ambitious. The approach that was taken towards me as a potential trainee and employee also drew me to Ward Hadaway: the firm wanted to know about me the person, not just me the law student.”

CHRIS BEESLEY TRAINEE (MANCHESTER)

“ The trainees meet regularly outside of the office, which means we have been able to get to know each other really well. As we often start in departments after one another there is always the opportunity to discuss the seat with others which acts as a source of support. All this helped me to settle into the Leeds office quickly. This sense of community is built upon by the engaging support system in place at Ward Hadaway. We are encouraged to meet regularly with our supervising partner and have regular contact with the Training Partner.”

KATE DUNHAM TRAINEE (LEEDS)

“ The culture at Ward Hadaway is as I hoped and expected. People work hard, and expect hard work, but few reaching the training contract stage will be work-shy. As a trainee you’re exposed to a culture of empowerment and support. You can be involved with clients almost immediately and assisting with time-critical matters. You learn through teaching and advice in real matters rather than being left to make mistakes, and have constant contact with your supervising partners. I know I’ll be very well prepared when I qualify.”

JAMES FAIRMANTRAINEE (NEWCASTLE)

Our Leeds office opened in 2008 and is just a stone’s throw from Leeds central train station . The open plan layout means it’s friendly and easy to approach colleagues at all levels . Leeds city centre has plenty to offer from retail to bars and restaurants and it has been described as the ‘gateway to Yorkshire’ so there’s plenty of countryside to explore too . There’s a vibrant cultural scene of museums, galleries, cinemas and clubs . Plus, you’re on the doorstep of the famous Leeds Festival taking place every year .

leeds

Our vacation scheme

Our paid vacation placement is a great way for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us! During the vacation placement you really will experience life as a trainee lawyer at Ward Hadaway and whilst we’ll expect you to throw yourself into it, working on real files and attending internal client meetings for example, we’ll support you fully with advice and guidance .

Our vacation placements are a week long and run from May to July . We’ll split the week between two departments, giving you valuable insight into our different practice areas . We’ll only invite a maximum of two students in per week, to ensure you get plenty of hands-on time dealing with real client matters and engaging in quality time with a wide range of our people . You’ll be given a structured programme made up of a variety of learning tasks and throughout your time with us, you’ll have access to our experienced lawyers and trainees who will be on hand to support you, answer any questions you may have and provide you with constructive feedback .

We want you to have a genuine experience of life working at Ward Hadaway so we deliberately include a variety of activities such as a welcome meeting and a social lunch during the week to ensure you leave having obtained an understanding of our culture, our people and how we operate . After all, a placement is meant to provide you with experience and information so that you’re well placed to choose the right firm for you . Naturally, we also benefit from having spent time with you which helps us to determine if you’re well suited to a training contract with Ward Hadaway .

Ultimately, if we think you have what it takes to be one of our talented lawyers of the future, we’ll invite you to attend a final interview which is the last hurdle before we offer a training contract.

If you choose to apply to the Vacation Scheme and are successful at one of our assessment centres, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a one week placement at any of our three offices .

We want you to have a genuine experience of life working at Ward Hadaway so we deliberately include a variety of activities including a welcome meeting and a social lunch during the week to ensure you leave having obtained an understanding of our culture, our people and how we operate.



We recruit ahead for all of our offices, please refer to our website for more details.

10 | Ward Hadaway

what route should i take?

Vacation Scheme

Law Graduates Non-Law Graduates

GDLFuture trainees are required to complete

the Graduate Diploma in Law prior to commencement

LPCFuture trainees are required to complete the Legal Practice Course prior

to commencement of a training contract

Training ContractA two year training contract comprising of four six-month seats

in various departments

QualificationUpon successful completion of the training contract, trainees are offered

the opportunity to apply for a newly qualified lawyer position

Vacation Scheme

Training Contracts

Training Contracts

Route

1Route

3Route

2Route

4



At every stage we assess you against our training contract competency criteria and our firm behaviours and values . We recognise some of this may be daunting, so if your initial application is successful, we’ll always provide you with more information so you know exactly what to expect at each stage of our recruitment process . We’re also proud to provide feedback to every candidate in order to help you develop and succeed .

How to apply

12 | Ward Hadaway

Induction

All our trainees are given a comprehensive one-week induction at the start of their training contract . This ensures you’ve gotten to grips with the technical side of things, like our systems and processes, but also gives you the chance to meet each other, as well as key individuals within the firm such as the Managing Partner and the Training Principal . It’s an intense but enjoyable week, and we’ll break up the work with some informal social activities .

Seats

During your training contract, you’ll get experience of four different practice areas, spending 6 months time in each . These are knows as ‘seats’ . This will give you a wide range of experience, as well as help you to decide where you want to qualify .

Choices

We encourage you to tell us your preferences so that, where possible, we can tailor your training contract to the areas you are most interested in . We’ll also ensure you develop in a range of contentious and non-contentious areas to achieve a well-rounded legal experience .

We’ll ask you to tell us in which department you might like to start your journey as a trainee and although we can’t guarantee you’ll always get your first choice, we will always do everything we can to accommodate your specific preferences . As part of your mid-seat review, we’ll discuss your preferences for your next seat, and explore the options available to you against your personal development .

Supervision

During each seat you will be given a supervisor . If you’re working in an open plan office, you’ll sit near your supervisor and among the wider team . If you’re working on a floor with a more traditional office plan, you’ll share an office with your supervisor . Both set-ups make it easy for you to ask questions about any work that is delegated to you . You will get a full appraisal at the end of each seat, a mid-seat review, and regular formal and informal feedback based on the SRA standards you need to meet .

If you’ve proved to us that you are part of the next generation of lawyers and are good enough for one of our training contracts, we will make you a job offer . We recognise that starting any new job can be daunting, so we aim to support you through every day of your training contract, from your induction to your qualification . We’ll keep in touch before you join us, and introduce you to the other trainees before your first day, so you’ll feel at home before you get here .

Your training contract

HOW DO I APPLY?

Visit our website, www.wardhadaway.com to complete an application form for either our vacation scheme or training contract at any of our three offices .

Online Application Form

Online Testing

Assessment Centre

Final Interview

Training Contract

1

2

3

4

the application process

It is critical we recruit talented people with the right mix of competencies, skills, attitude and motivation . We therefore ensure our recruitment process is multi-dimensional so that you have the best opportunity to show us what you’re made of .

To apply for our vacation scheme and training contract, we prefer candidates to have a minimum of AAB at A level (or equivalent) and a 2 .1 or above in a degree of any discipline .

Academics are just one indicator of how successful you can be in a training contract role . However, we welcome diversity and are looking for a range of other skills and attributes, including strong interpersonal and communication skills, commercial awareness and business mindedness . For this reason, we won’t automatically reject your application if you don’t meet our minimum academic criteria . If this is you, you need to use the other sections of your application form to convince us that your other achievements and experiences mean you’re the right candidate for us .



Training and development

14 | Ward Hadaway

What you’ll receive:

» Competitive salary

» 25 days holiday (with an option to buy additional days) plus statutory bank holidays

» Group personal pension plan with employer contributions

» Flexible benefits including health/dental cover, child care vouchers, insurance and discounted shopping

» Life assurance

» Interest-free season ticket loans for travel

» Funding for the GDL/LPC (including a maintenance grant)

» Membership to the JLD or equivalent

Our training contract programme is designed to challenge and motivate you, and you’ll receive all the support and development you’ll need to thrive in our fast-paced environment . Rewards and benefits are also a key factor in choosing the firm that’s best for you, so we’ve put together a valuable package for all our trainees .

Rewards and benefitsWhat you’ll receive:

» Comprehensive on-boarding: introducing you to the firm, your team, your fellow trainee lawyers and our systems and processes

» A second year trainee ‘buddy’ to provide you with support and share experiences

» A structured training and development programme to fully equip you with the skills you need as a lawyer

» A supervisor to oversee your development and support you

» Regular reviews, feedback sessions and appraisals to let you know how well you are progressing

» Regular informative seminars and training on a variety of subject areas

» Continued education through the PSC which we will enrol you on upon joining us

» Team-building activities with your trainee peer group

Your learning doesn’t stop when you leave university . We’ll ensure you continue to develop and grow so that you can become the best lawyer you can be .



Having made a great investment in training throughout the 2 year contract, it is important to us that we retain our trainees, and our retention rates have been strong year on year as a result of this ambition .

So what is it like to make the transition with us? One of our qualified lawyers gives his view .

At the end of two years hard work, our trainees become fully qualified .

Life after qualification

16 | Ward Hadaway

“I qualified into the Healthcare team in September 2013. As a qualified lawyer, I now have my own case load of clinical negligence actions where I defend NHS clients when they are sued by patients in the Civil Courts. I found the transition between trainee lawyer and NQ to be smooth and uncomplicated. Ward Hadaway manage the transition in an efficient and professional manner, whereby your case load is steadily built up over a period of time and you are instructed to handle cases which are appropriate for your level of knowledge and experience. At the same time, Ward Hadaway provide an excellent level of supervision, with each file having a designated supervising partner who will review all substantive work which you undertake and provide constant guidance and feedback on a day-to-day basis. Going forward, I hope to continue to develop my knowledge and ability in my chosen area of practice and I’m looking forward to building on the great level of experience which I have already gained.”

JAMES DONNELLY LAWYER (NEWCASTLE)

Ward Hadaway has always been committed to the communities we serve . As a firm we think carefully about how our activities and standing can improve the lives of people within those communities .

We support a wide range of charities, organisations and community initiatives demonstrating our commitment goes beyond a ‘tick-box’ approach . Projects undertaken by the firm have included everything from offering pro-bono advice in a range of areas through to painting at a school for children with disabilities and supporting a prison with the ‘Ready to Work’ scheme .

We actively encourage our trainee solicitors to engage in charitable and fund-raising work during their two-year traineeship . We do this by linking up with local charities and businesses on key projects that help our trainees to build on their developing skills and establish networks whilst supporting local community initiatives and charities .

In relation to the environment we operate a continuous improvement programme to minimise the firm’s environmental impact . We actively re-cycle a wide range of consumables, utilise technology to help manage our carbon footprint and have a firm wide Environment Group to gauge progress and map out further potential improvements .

More information on our work in the community and our commitment to the environment can be found on our website .



As a trainee, you’ll be expected to work hard, but there’s also plenty of opportunity for you to continue with the interests you’ve developed during your life outside of law .

Our trainees enjoy a healthy work-life balance unrivalled by the London law firms . As well as continuing your own interests, you’ll also be able to try new activities and we have a variety of clubs to welcome new members, including a running-club, touch-rugby, football and netball teams and charity committees . You can also join colleagues in visits to local galleries and cinemas where we benefit from corporate rates .

If you’re not busy getting involved in the sporting and cultural activities, we also put on regular events and socials including a firm-wide annual summer BBQ, and a firm-wide annual winter party .

And the fun doesn’t only happen outside of working hours: team away days allow you to bond with the unit you’re working in whilst enjoying anything from rock-climbing to cookery courses!

Social

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Community and Environment


www .wardhadaway .com

Newcastle office:

Sandgate House, 102 Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DX TEL: 0191 204 4000

Leeds office:

5 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP TEL: 0113 205 6600

Manchester office:

The Observatory, Chapel Walks, Manchester, M2 1HL TEL: 0161 837 3800

If you have any questions, you can contact us by emailing: recruitment@wardhadaway .com

Or by telephone: 0161 837 3810

Recruitment & Development Manager

Ward Hadaway SolicitorsThe Observatory, Chapel Walks, Manchester. M2 1HL Direct line: +44 (0)191 204 4003 Fax: +44 (0)161 204 6700Mobile: +44 (0)773 052 1894 Email: [email protected]

Contact

Caroline Bogira

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