Life as a trainee
Joseph Kelley
Studied: Law Exempting, Northumbria University
Role: Second year trainee. Currently in the Company and Commercial, Newcastle
Although I am originally not from the North-East, I knew fairly quickly after starting university that this was where I wanted to stay and build my career. The people in Newcastle are fantastic, and the area as a whole is a vibrant and exciting place to live and work.
Being from outside the region, I had no pre-conceptions about firms when it came to applying for training contracts. Throughout the period that I was applying to firms, Ward Hadaway consistently stood out as head and shoulders above other firms in terms of approachability, friendliness and taking an interest in you as an individual. This has carried forward into the training contract, where it is evident that the firm really invests in your development as trainee.
In my first seat I worked between the firm’s corporate finance and banking teams. On the corporate finance side I worked on a variety of deals which the firm was instructed on, including the acquisitions and disposals of various private companies, as well as on several investments by banks and venture capital firms.
This was in addition to working on a variety of matters for some of the public companies which instruct the firm. For the banking team I often helped to draft and review security arrangements for both lenders and borrowers.
For my second seat I spent six months in the firm’s commercial litigation department. Whilst in the department I worked on a range of different cases, which included commercial insurance disputes, professional negligence claims, contested probate and breach of trust claims.
I was also fortunate enough get lots of Court experience during my time in commercial litigation; I was heavily involved in two separate week-long High Court trials, as well as attending the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and conducting my own advocacy at a Case Management Conference. This was in addition to preparing for and attending two mediations during my six month seat.
I am currently sitting in the company and commercial team of the firm’s commercial department. This involves providing advice to clients on the day-to-day running of their businesses, from drafting and reviewing commercial contracts to advising on corporate governance issues and helping to restructure corporate arrangements.
The level of responsibility that has been given to me is really impressive; the firm takes the approach that you can only learn by doing the work itself, so you certainly aren’t left to do the administration work.
Outside of the department, the trainees are heavily involved in raising money for the firm’s chosen charity. This has involved organising lots of meetings and events in order to try and raise as much money as possible. It’s been a great way for the trainees to get involved in a project together and get to know each other.
The firm also has a very active social calendar. Aside from many people meeting for drinks regularly after work, the trainees also try to arrange regular meals and nights out so that we can share experiences and help each other out.
Elizabeth Goring
Studied: BA Politics and Philosophy, University of York; GDL and LPC, Nottingham Law School
Role: Second Year Trainee. Currently in Employment, Newcastle
Though I chose to study politics and philosophy at undergraduate level, I realised by the end of my degree that I wanted a legal career, as so much of what I had covered was underpinned by the law. Early on from this decision I knew that I wanted to work for Ward Hadaway.
Being from Newcastle the firm’s location was an important factor, as I was aware that it’s a great place to live and work.
However, more importantly, the work carried out by the firm was the main attraction, in particular its strong reputation in the public sector as well as the diversity of practices on offer.
Though I had heard that Ward Hadaway was a friendly firm, it was nice to find this realised when I arrived. This has proven true from socialising with fellow trainees, right up to the approachability of partners.
My first seat in the firm was shared between planning and property litigation, which provided the opportunity to experience both contentious and non-contentious property law.
In the planning department I was involved in a variety of work, including agricultural law, compulsory purchase orders, environmental law and judicial reviews. I also attended a large planning inquiry and worked closely on researching important legal developments, such as the introduction of the Localism Bill.
On the property litigation side I had the chance to draft witness statements, pleadings and effectively run small files with excellent supervision and support. The firm represents a variety of clients from public bodies, building developers to individuals, therefore providing experience of a broad spectrum of cases.
In my second seat I was in the healthcare unit, representing NHS clients. This is an incredibly interesting area of law and I undertook varied work with increasing responsibility, from drafting instructions, liaising with the trusts and medical experts, to attending conferences with counsel.
Ward Hadaway is also involved with inquest cases and provides general legal support to the trusts on a day to day basis, so there is the chance to be involved in the full breadth of medical legal work.
I am currently sitting in the firm’s employment department. Again there is a very interesting mix of clients, from public bodies, smaller businesses to large multinational companies and the firm provides both contentious and non-contentious employment support.
Three weeks into my seat I have already researched complex areas of employment law, attended client meetings and I am currently attending an employment tribunal to sit with counsel. There is a real emphasis on involving you with cases and valuing any input you may have.
As with each of my seats, there is a genuine expectation that you are here to train, and they want you to get the most out of the experience. Therefore the work given to trainees is both interesting and challenging, with the time taken to explain matters and involve you with the case as a whole.
Nicholas Gholkar
Studied: MA Politics, University of Edinburgh, GDL and LPC, BPP London
Role: First Year Trainee, currently in Corporate Finance, Newcastle
After studying Politics at undergraduate level, I made the decision to pursue a career in law.
Having lived my entire life in the North East I was well aware of the excellent reputation Ward Hadaway held in the region and the high quality of work performed by the firm.
During my final year of university I attended a vacation scheme with the firm. This involved rotating around three departments over the course of a week.
This allowed me to experience first hand the kind of work undertaken by the firm. The impressive client list and dedication shown to each client, from individuals to the largest multinational corporations was inspiring.
The lasting impression from the experience, however, was the people and the way in which they interact on a genuine level with both colleagues and clients, the importance of both is something you learn quickly as a trainee here.
Ward Hadaway encourages a friendly atmosphere, delivering work of the highest quality is the number one priority, however there is always someone on hand to give a friendly word of advice or even a bit of light-hearted banter during the early hours of the morning.
In my first seat I have been in the corporate finance and banking team. I have worked on a range of matters from large scale acquisitions to company re-structuring work.
The firm's ’learn by doing’ ethos is really refreshing, you don’t feel constantly wrapped in bubble wrap like trainees elsewhere, real responsibility comes early on.
Outside of work there is a solid social life among the trainees. Through the week there are various activities ranging from beach volleyball to cricket matches against the partners.
On a Friday night most trainees can be found at one of the quayside’s fantastic bars, regaling each other with battle stories from the week gone.
There is a real sense that Ward Hadaway is a community rather than just a working obligation, this makes the training experience both educational and enjoyable and also means that most people who train here stay here.
Stephanie Rodgers
Studied: MA Politics, University of Edinburgh, GDL and LPC College of Law, York
Role: First Year Trainee, currently in Healthcare, Newcastle
I originally considered a career in law whilst still at school, but was advised to study an unrelated subject at university and return to law later if it still appealed. Whilst in my final year at Edinburgh I decided to apply for work experience to see if this was the case.
Having been born and brought up in Newcastle I was familiar with Ward Hadaway and its status as one of the biggest and best firms in the region.
The firm is renowned for high quality work and its impressive and diverse client base. This, combined with a reputation for their personal approach made Ward Hadaway an attractive choice.
I applied and was fortunate enough to be able to attend a vacation scheme. The time I spent with the firm then confirmed not only that I wanted to pursue a career in law, but also that I wanted to do it with Ward Hadaway.
Even in the short time I have been at Ward Hadaway as a trainee, I have been struck by the amount of work I’ve been involved in and the level of responsibility I have been given.
I have already drafted correspondence and court documents, had contact with clients and even attended an inquest.
Whilst being thrown in at the deep end can be slightly frightening, for me this is one of Ward Hadaway’s greatest attributes, and is the best way to get the most out of trainees. It is clear that the firm want their trainees to play a genuine role within the team, and are committed to their development.
Although I have only been a trainee here for a few weeks, it has been immediately obvious that Ward Hadaway’s reputation as a people-orientated firm is deserved. There is a strong focus on the importance of client relationships, but building a strong team ethic is equally important.
Many firms claim to be friendly, but at Ward Hadaway this is genuinely the case. Everyone in my department has been approachable and supportive, and are more than happy to help, even when you feel you’re asking something silly!
This attitude extends beyond working hours with a range of sports teams to join and various social events; on a Friday trainees gather in the Quayside bars which is a great way to get to know each other.
All of this has helped me settle in very quickly; I already feel part of the team and am looking forward to the rest of my training contract here.
Ben Brown
Studied: LL.B Law Exempting, Northumbria University
Role: First year trainee (2nd Seat). Currently in the Property Department, Leeds
In my final year at university I won the ’Sue Watts Memorial’ Prize, an award sponsored by Ward Hadaway in association with Northumbria University, and I was invited to attend a lunch with the Managing Partner and other senior partners in the Newcastle office.
This was a great introduction to the firm and I was extremely impressed at the friendliness and approachability of those in attendance.
I had already made the decision to relocate to Leeds after finishing my studies and was keen to know how the firm’s recently established Leeds office was progressing.
After a period of work experience, witnessing first-hand the speed of development and positive team atmosphere, I became the first directly recruited Leeds trainee.
I spent my first six months in the Employment department. In the first week I was involved in interviewing witnesses from an international client in preparation for drafting statements for use at a forthcoming Employment Tribunal hearing.
I later travelled to London in order to help prepare the witnesses themselves for the hearing. This level of client contact continued throughout the seat.
The Employment team acts for large corporate clients in complex tribunal claims and non-contentious corporate support work. Whilst I was in the department I obtained invaluable experience shadowing counsel at a tribunal hearing in addition to attending case management discussions and pre-hearing reviews.
During my first seat I was exposed to high quality work and trusted with a large amount of responsibility. However, I always had the close supervision and support you would expect whilst training. There is always an experienced colleague around to answer questions, explain particular instructions or just simply have a friendly chat.
I’m now sitting in the Property Department which incorporates the business property services and property litigation teams.
I have already assisted in many different elements of commercial property work from the initial stages of a site acquisition to reporting on title and drafting land transfer forms.
As a Ward Hadaway trainee you are continually challenged and expected to develop professionally but there is always support to be found whether from supervising partners or fellow trainees. A trainee here is seen as an extremely valuable resource, not someone at the bottom of the pile.
The atmosphere in the office itself is very sociable. The office meets each Friday in our ’Wine & One Idea’ meeting in order to discuss business development and marketing before going for after work drinks.
We are also encouraged to get involved in the local legal community which includes attending events organised by the Junior Lawyers Division.
This is a very exciting time to train at Ward Hadaway in Leeds. The firm is ambitious and that certainly shows in the expansion of the Leeds office and the continued recruitment of experienced senior partners.