Neil
Noble
Training Partner
Law – University of Leicester
‘Our trainee intake is relatively select – we accept 16 graduates per year, which means we can focus closely on individual development. If we choose you, then it’s because we see in you qualities that make you a potential high-performing associate – and possibly even a future partner. And you can be sure that we’re fully committed to investing in your talent.
A two-year programme
What comes next is a two-year programme that differs in key respects from any you may find elsewhere. Given our strong international presence and commercial focus, we look for a different type of individual, someone with an ability to be more than just a legal technician.
Four six month seats
Following a week’s intensive induction and a comprehensive post-induction programme that continues once you’re in your first seat, the spine of our programme consists of four seats, each of six months’ duration, across different practice groups.
A variety of opportunities
As our profiles demonstrate, you could find yourself working on anything from a high profile, multi-million pound financial litigation case to structuring the UK’s first Shari’a-compliant outsourcing contract.
A broad balance
We can usually ensure that you are given your preferred choice of seats during your training contract. You may well even find yourself working at our client’s offices, absorbing a totally different business culture first-hand. Many trainees also take full advantage of the opportunities to gain experience overseas typically in either our Hong Kong or Singapore office.
Full support
Ultimately, every seat is a different journey, and every trainee’s experience is in some respect unique. We aim to instill a broad balance of commercial awareness and legal experience, as well as the personal flexibility to move between projects and acquire new skills.
If you are looking for early responsibility in an environment where progress is driven by merit and personal initiative, you couldn’t set yourself a better challenge.
And with challenge comes support. Your Supervisor will provide you with regular feedback, advice and general guidance on every aspect of your responsibilities – from the specifics of your day-to-day role to the big, long-term career decisions. We also operate an open-door policy that means you need never be shy of asking questions – everyone will be willing to help you.
Looking forwards
In the longer term, the development opportunities aren’t confined to trainees. Become an associate, and you can look forward to joining a comprehensive development programme that over the next few years will help you progress your skills and business knowledge right up to partner level. Even then, there are still further opportunities. In this firm, there is always something more to aim for and new challenges to meet. There is no reason to ever stop learning or growing.’