Two new trainees at a Shropshire law firm say they are delighted to be able to progress their careers with a growing legal practice in the county – at a time when such jobs in the profession are often hard to find.
Holly Edwards and Natasha Gibbons have joined Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, which has offices across Shropshire, on training contracts while they work towards becoming fully-qualified solicitors.
Although many larger city firms reduced their trainee numbers following the financial downturn, David Battisby, managing partner at Lanyon Bowdler, said the firm had maintained its commitment to training the next generation of lawyers in Shropshire.
He said: “Our training programme is going from strength to strength. We think it’s so important to nurture homegrown talent in our county.
“Lanyon Bowdler takes on a minimum of two trainees each year, so with training contracts usually lasting two years, we generally have at least four trainees with us at any one time.
“Trainees generally spend six months in each legal practice area, so they have experience in four areas of work.
“We have already selected our trainees to start in September 2016 and are now welcoming applications for 2017, which must be received by the end of January.”
Holly Edwards graduated from The University of Birmingham in 2012 and completed the LPC at the College of Law in April, 2014. She currently works with the personal injury team.
She is also leading a project called Debate-Ed, designed to train sixth form students to deliver engaging and fun workshops for secondary school students in Shrewsbury.
Holly said: “Getting a training contract straight from university is very difficult and it’s very competitive out there.
“I am thrilled to be starting my career with Lanyon Bowdler, which is such a professional and well-respected firm in Shropshire.”
Natasha Gibbons was born and raised in Shrewsbury before she moved away to study law at Cardiff University, from which she graduated in 2013 with first class honours.
She then studied the LPC at Cardiff University and passed with distinction in 2014.
Currently based in the clinical negligence department at Lanyon Bowdler, Natasha said she was delighted to be employed by a Shropshire firm.
She said: “It’s great to be working in the county where I grew up. I have always wanted to return to work in Shropshire and I am looking forward to completing my training with Lanyon Bowdler.
“Their training programme is exemplary, rivalling that of any city centre firm and I am proud to be working for them.”
Lanyon Bowdler has offices in Shrewsbury, Telford, Oswestry, Ludlow and Hereford, and employs more than 200 staff covering all legal specialisms. For more information visit the website at www.lblaw.co.uk or call 0800 652 3371.