Commercial law firm St James' Square sees a rise in demand for its annual Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Scheme.
Now in its second year, the Trainee Solicitor Recruitment Scheme begins in September 2021. The two-year training programme offers talented graduates the opportunity to obtain the necessary training, guidance and work experience to qualify as solicitors. The inaugural scheme launched in 2020 and received a huge amount of interest. This was not surprising given that the successful graduates receive one-to-one mentoring and guidance from some of the North East’s top lawyers.
The training programme sees two graduates each year join the firm and forms part of its strategic plan for continued long-term growth. The graduates rotate between different legal departments, giving them valuable experience and knowledge in a wide range of commercial legal areas. Upon successful completion of the scheme, each graduate will join one of the departments on a permanent basis.
Mark Roche, practice manager, says: “We are extremely pleased to be able to offer more new and exciting opportunities at St James’ Square. The graduate scheme is a win-win for everyone involved. Not only does it give graduates a fantastic opportunity to continue their legal training, but it also allows us to attract new talent into the business which in turn helps us grow and meet the demands of our clients.”
The firm has a history of investing heavily in its staff and the graduate recruitment scheme is welcome news for graduates during a particularly difficult final year at university. The 2020 scheme saw the recruitment of trainee solicitors, Samuel Scott (left) and Josh Campbell (right), who have joined the employment and HR department and the corporate and commercial services department, respectively. First year trainee, Josh said: “St James’ Square has been incredibly supportive since my first day. I have been involved in some high-profile corporate work from day one and have had hands on supervision from expert lawyers. I am currently within the Corporate and Commercial Services department and it is extremely exciting to put into practice many years of my academic studies. From the very first interview, it was made clear that St James’ Square will support and facilitate your ambitions wherever possible. It is a very exciting place to work.”
Samuel continued: “The training contract at St James’ Square is very fulfilling. The firm is keen to provide increasing responsibility to its trainees right from the off. My favourite aspects of the firm are its close-knit environment, everyone is very approachable and happy to answer any questions I may have, and its supervision. It really is first rate.”
St James’ Square was established three years ago and, given its significant investment in technology and forward-thinking working practices, it has been well placed to respond to the demands and challenges of the pandemic.
The firm has expanded rapidly since it began operating in 2017. St James’ Square now employs over 30 staff, occupies 7,000 sq ft of Grade A premises at Esh Plaza and has a turnover exceeding £2.5 million. It has expanded its commercial departments to include services in employment and HR, corporate and commercial services, dispute resolution, real estate – commercial property, real estate – residential property, corporate recovery and insolvency, debt recovery and sports services.
