Award-winning north west law firm Napthens has appointed nine new trainees, including two apprentices, as it continues to demonstrate its dedication to investing in talent for future growth.
The new trainee and apprentices also kicked off their participation in firm’s innovative emerging talent development programme Flourish.
The apprentices join on two different routes, with Evie Noblett moving here straight from Cardinal Newman College in Preston on a solicitor apprenticeship, with Lauren Jones following a new graduate apprenticeship pathway.
Evie is Napthens’ second solicitor apprentice following Amy Wright’s appointment in 2023, and she will begin a five-year course to enable her to get a law degree and take her SQE (Solicitors Qualifying Exams), whilst working full time and supported by experienced colleagues.
Lauren, who currently works as a legal assistant at the firm, studied Law at Sheffield Hallam University. She will complete the graduate apprenticeship in just over two years, so she can complete her Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
Evie said: “I’m so excited to start my journey in the legal profession and grateful for Napthens having the pathway that suits me best.
“The solicitor apprenticeship enables me to not only apply the skills and knowledge that I’m learning in the classroom but gain invaluable knowledge from the professionals surrounding me.”
Lauren added: “I can’t wait to get started and follow a new apprenticeship route to becoming a solicitor, a route that affords me to complete the SQE while gaining real life working experiences.”
The new recruits demonstrate the firm’s long-term commitment to encourage entry into the legal profession via a variety of pathways.
In addition to the two new apprentices, Napthens welcomes Paige Draper and Zuzanna Tunska to the firm, as they take seats in commercial contracts and the family team, respectively.
Five of our existing colleagues from across the firm will be beginning their training contracts.
Declan Duffy and Emma Odudu-Harrison will be joining the litigation teams in Preston and Blackburn, while Amira Bhailok will be joining the real estate team in Preston.
Liam Henry will start his contract with the residential conveyancing in Preston, and Charlotte Senior begins her training contract with wills and estate planning.
Head of learning and development, Simon Price, said: “I am delighted to launch Flourish which has been co-created with lawyers and professional colleagues from across the firm.
“The Flourish curriculum enables our people to learn key business, financial, technical, digital and professional skills at the start of their careers and will enable them to flourish in their roles with the firm.”
Napthens’ head of people and operations, Nicola Mason, explained the importance of apprenticeships and Flourish to the firm.
She said: “Apprenticeships enable us to widen the demographic of candidates for all roles, opening up a career in the legal profession to people who might not ordinarily think it could be for them.
“Our trainee programme has always been an essential part of who we are. As a firm, we are passionate about access to law and supporting great minds to fulfil their potential in law.
“We look forward to watching the progress of all our new colleagues, as they navigate a path to a legal career, always supporting by people and teams across the firm.”
Napthens has two apprenticeship programmes running, one with UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire) for solicitors and one with CILEX (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) focused on paralegals.
In addition to Amy Wright studying the solicitor apprenticeship, the firm has Amy Davies and Cheryl Hood studying the paralegal apprenticeship, to enhance their knowledge in their roles as legal assistants, by providing practical skills and guidance within their field.
