Ward Hadaway Welcomes 14 New Trainees

The new trainees will take seats in the firm’s Commercial, Litigation, Real Estate, Corporate, Employment and Housing teams across its three offices in Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester this month.

They are Nicole Axon, Fatima Baig, Florence Banister, Benjamin Blatch-Hanlon, Jonathon Booth, Isabelle Cernis, Rebecca Coates, Alex Howarth, Anna Jackson-Smith, Kerry McFarlane, Lucy Melville, Patrick Sowter, Claire Turner and Vanessa Saleh.

Isabelle, who trained at the University of Leeds, begins her career at Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office, starting out with a seat in Employment.

She said: “I would advise anyone wanting to pursue a career in law to meet as many people as possible who work in the legal sector as an opportunity for work experience could crop up at any time.”

Alex Howarth trained at Newcastle University for his undergraduate law degree and then Northumbria University for his LPC. He has his first seat in Newcastle’s Real Estate team.

He said: “I have been working as a paralegal in Ward Hadaway’s Healthcare team and have really enjoyed getting used to day-to-day life in the firm, developing relevant skills and getting to know people at all levels within the profession. I’m looking forward to my first seat in the Real Estate team and dealing with property matters. I have to say that the introduction of the firm’s dress down policy was a pleasant surprise!”

Anna Jackson-Smith will join Manchester’s Real Estate team.

Anna attended the University of Warwick and knew she wanted to become a solicitor after a work placement when she was just 16.

She said: “I’m looking forward to working in a job that is challenging and different every day. I’d say to anyone thinking of a career in law to attend as many open days as possible and never say no to a networking opportunity!”

Martin Hulls, Managing Partner of Ward Hadaway and Senior Partner, Jamie Martin, welcomed the new trainees to the firm on their first day at a social get together.

Martin said: “Jamie and I are delighted to be welcoming so many talented people through our doors. We had nearly 400 applications for places this year, so it’s great to see so many young, enthusiastic people keen to start their legal careers with us.”