Wilkin Chapman welcomes new cohort of trainee solicitors

Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire’s largest law firm has welcomed ten trainee solicitors to its Grimsby, Lincoln, Beverley, and Wolds offices.

The new cohort includes Alexandra Vilbergsdottir, Chloe Beckett, Emma Johnson, Harriet Costello, Jessica Bowen, Lauren Brighton, and Molly Hodges (Grimsby); Henry Dixon (Lincoln); Alexandra Tock (Beverley); and Katherine Hardcastle (Wolds).

The expansion of the trainee solicitor programme strengthens the firm’s commitment to continue to grow its own lawyers for the future, providing the individuals with the skills and experience needed to become qualified solicitors and the opportunity to pursue a long-term career with the firm. 

The two-year contract provides trainees with hands-on experience in a number of different areas of the law, split into four six-month placements across the firm. Trainees are also provided with the opportunity to spend time at more than one of the firm’s four offices to experience different clients and work.

Lisa Boileau, partner and head of the private client division of Wilkin Chapman, explains why solicitor training contracts are so important to the firm:

“At Wilkin Chapman, we believe that investing in the next generation of legal professionals is crucial for the future success of our firm. We have a long history of producing exceptionally well trained and very able lawyers. 

“As part of our trainee solicitor scheme, we attract talented and ambitious individuals who are eager to learn and develop their skills with us and to pursue a long-term career with us at the firm. Last year, we took on seven trainee solicitors and this year we have awarded a total of ten contracts.

“When possible, we like to start our future trainees with us as paralegals, so that when the time comes to begin their training contract, they are already used to our systems and already feel part of the firm’s friendly and close-knit community. We're excited to see what the future holds for our new trainee solicitors as they commence their training contracts and look forward to supporting them on their journey towards a long and rewarding career in law.”

Harriet Costello, trainee solicitor at the Grimsby office, said:

“During my time as a paralegal at the firm, it became clear to me that the friendly, professional environment at Wilkin Chapman was one that I would like to undertake my training in. The firm is full of incredibly talented professionals who are experts in their fields and who it is fantastic to be learning from.”

“With Wilkin Chapman being such a well-respected, large firm in the area which offers such a wide array of services, I saw the scheme as a great opportunity to explore a variety of legal sectors, before settling upon an area to specialise in - which made it my first preference for a training contract.”

As well as training by the side of experienced lawyers, these successful individuals will also attend relevant internal and external training courses throughout their contract to equip them with the skills required of a practising solicitor, all paid for by the firm.

Henry Dixon, trainee solicitor at the Lincoln office, said:

“My first impression of the firm was that there was a great family feel. During my work experience I found that there was an extremely friendly environment where everyone was approachable and made me feel welcome. These same qualities followed through into my working life when I joined the firm as a paralegal last year, meaning that I couldn’t wait to get started on my training contract.’’

“Working within law is a highly rewarding industry, and I will take great pride in being able to call myself a solicitor at the end of my training. I love the complex nature of the work and being able to build wide-ranging connections - every day is completely different.”

Trainees will be exposed to many different departments and types of work throughout their contract, which may include: dispute resolution; corporate and commercial; commercial property; insolvency; debt recovery; family; Wills, estates, tax and trusts; personal injury; employment; and regulatory.

Lauren Brighton, trainee solicitor at the Grimsby office, said:

“Wilkin Chapman is dedicated to growing their own and is really keen for local people to progress their careers with the firm. I have worked here as a paralegal since graduating and have always been provided with so much support and encouragement - both in my paralegal role and now in pursuing my training contract.

“It is such a welcoming environment to work in and everyone is so approachable. I hope to continue to develop my career here.”

With over 420 partners and staff located across a network of offices in Grimsby, Lincoln, Beverley and Louth, Wilkin Chapman is the largest law firm in the Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire area and it ranks as the 111th largest firm in the UK. Wilkin Chapman provides trusted legal and insolvency advice to both private individuals and large commercial clients who are based locally, nationally and internationally.

For more information, visit https://wilkinchapman.co.uk/careers. 

For those interested in applying for a training contract, applications will reopen on 1st November 2023 for 2025/2026 commencement - please contact recruitment@wilkinchapman.co.uk for details.