Ward Hadaway welcomes 14 new trainees
7th October, 2025
Ward Hadaway is delighted to welcome 14 new trainee solicitors as part of its 2025 intake, further strengthening the firm’s commitment to developing the next generation of legal talent.
The trainees have joined offices across Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle and, for the first time as Ward Hadaway, in Teesside following the firm’s merger with The Endeavour Partnership.
Caroline Jones, Head of Emerging Talent at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our trainee programme continues to be one of the most important ways we invest in the firm’s future. This year’s group represents a diverse mix of skills and backgrounds and we’re especially pleased to welcome our first Teesside-based trainees onto our programme since The Endeavour Partnership merger. Each of our trainees brings something unique and we look forward to supporting them as they build their careers.”
This year’s intake highlights Ward Hadaway’s ongoing growth and long-term commitment to investing in talent. Following the merger, the firm has added the Teesside office to its well-established emerging talent programme, where the new recruits will be joining a team already well-versed in trainee development. The firm is also preparing to expand this further across the UK by opening up trainee opportunities in its Birmingham office. Applications for 2027 and 2028 training contracts will open on 1 November 2025 and, for the first time, will include vacancies in Birmingham alongside opportunities across the North.
Steven Petrie, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “Nurturing emerging talent is central to the way we grow as a firm. Trainees bring fresh ideas, energy and ambition and they help us to stay connected to the changing expectations of clients and the profession. Investing in people at the very start of their legal careers ensures we have the skills, insight and resilience needed for the future.”
In Newcastle, the new joiners are Daisy Agar, Lia Murray-Smith, Ted Jemison, Kanyinsola Lawal and Orlaigh Mullen. In Teesside, Somer Pearson, Georgia Cowley and Iona Healy have begun their training.
Leeds has seen the arrival of Callum Worts, Alexandra Wood-Tonks, Katharina Looi Kiesel and Hanzala Syed. The Manchester office has welcomed Abby Chan and Georgia Buchanan.
Iona Healy, one of the new Teesside-based trainees, said: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining Ward Hadaway. The chance to start my legal career in Teesside, while being part of a national firm, is a fantastic opportunity. We’ve had such a warm welcome already and I’m looking forward to the variety of experiences we’ll gain during our training. Ward Hadaway is an amazing place to kick-start my career.”
Please note that this briefing is designed to be informative, not advisory and represents our understanding of English law and practice as at the date indicated. We would always recommend that you should seek specific guidance on any particular legal issue.
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