Member News
Leading Northern law firm Ward Hadaway, with offices in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle, has announced the appointment of nine newly qualified solicitors following a successful training period.
Each of the nine graduates have qualified as solicitors and are remaining with the firm, working within a diverse range of departments. They add to a growing Ward Hadaway team across Northern England, with total headcount now at 476.
The 100% retention rate reflects the consistent growth of Ward Hadaway as it continues to create jobs for more people and demonstrates the quality and depth of Ward Hadaway’s dedicated training provision. It also highlights the long-term opportunities available at the firm for emerging talent, with graduates developing excellent skills and gaining valuable experience during their training period.
Matt Cormack, a partner and training principal at the firm, said: “Ward Hadaway isn’t just a place to fulfil your training contract; it’s where you lay the foundations for a successful and rewarding legal career. The comprehensive training, ongoing development and continuous support is why many of us choose to continue our journey at Ward Hadaway. The fact we have retained 100% of our newly qualified solicitors reflects our commitment to attracting, developing and retaining the best emerging talent. This year’s cohort is extremely strong and I’m confident they’ll continue to flourish. Congratulations to each of them who have worked incredibly hard to achieve their qualification – it’s thoroughly deserved.”
The new solicitors completed a two-year training contract after graduating from university. The training contract itself involves four placements, each lasting six months, in different departments.
Caroline Jones, recruitment and emerging talent manager at Ward Hadaway, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our 100% retention rate for our newly qualified solicitors. It’s great to see talented individuals choosing to continue their journey with us. At Ward Hadaway, we are committed to providing an inclusive and collaborative workplace where teamwork and personal development are key priorities.
We’re focused on providing a diverse range of opportunities to all our employees throughout their careers to ensure they continue to gain the expertise, experience and skills required to excel in the legal sector. Not only does our 100% retention success reflect the strength of this year’s cohort but it also demonstrates our capability as a firm in delivering a high-quality training experience. Ward Hadaway will benefit from such talented and motivated newly qualified solicitors as we continue to mould the future leaders in law and legal practice.”
Employment solicitor Heather Ramsay said: “I’m delighted to qualify as a solicitor and continue my career at Ward Hadaway. The training programme was excellent, highly structured, engaging and supportive. I’ve gained a breadth of experience across a range of legal disciplines at Ward Hadaway which gave me a good understanding of which area of practice I want to enter.
What sets the firm apart is its commitment to professional development and a culture that's both nurturing and stimulating. I felt genuinely valued and supported throughout my training and I’m looking forward to continuing my career with Ward Hadaway as part of the employment team.”
For more information about Ward Hadaway’s routes to solicitor qualification, visit: https://www.wardhadaway.com/join-us/trainees-apprentices/
