Magnificent seven celebrate their success | 15 September 09

SEVEN newly-qualified solicitors are celebrating their success as they embark on their careers at leading North law firm Ward Hadaway.

Celebrating success – newly qualified solicitors at Ward Hadaway (from left) Liz Nicholson, Victoria Gleason, Jenny Jackson, Tom Pollard, Graham Vials, Louise Cannell-Mirza and Gillian Burns.

Tom Pollard, Victoria Gleason, Liz Nicholson, Graham Vials, Jenny Jackson, Louise Cannell-Mirza and Gillian Burns have all been taken on following two years as trainee solicitors at the Newcastle-based firm.

During their training, each of the seven have spent time working in different areas of Ward Hadaway, covering departments including corporate finance, commercial, litigation, property and private client.

Over the two years, each of the trainees has worked in four different teams, for six months at a time, enabling them to gain invaluable experience in a range of legal sectors before choosing a specialism to begin their careers as fully qualified solicitors.

Tom Pollard and Victoria Gleason qualify into the corporate finance team; Liz Nicholson into the healthcare team; Graham Vials and Gillian Burns qualify into the employment team; Jenny Jackson qualifies into the company and commercial team and Louise Cannell-Mirza into the matrimonial law team.

Jamie Martin, managing partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “Congratulations go to all seven of our newly qualified solicitors who have shown great aptitude, determination and ability throughout the course of their two year training contract.

“Their success means that we have retained almost 80% of the trainees who started out with us in September 2007.

“As a firm, Ward Hadaway has always strived to develop and nurture legal talent and provide the right conditions for our people to achieve their career goals.

“It is therefore very pleasing for me to welcome our newly qualified solicitors to the firm and to wish them the very best for their ongoing careers with Ward Hadaway.”