Challinors takes on new trainees
Jan 27 2009 by Tom Scotney, Birmingham Post
Midlands law firm Challinors has added four new trainees, bringing the total to nine.
The firm is building on its close links with the School of Law at Birmingham City University which has invited it to play an active role in its consultation to develop a new-look Legal Practice Course (LPC) scheduled for introduction in 2010.
“Whilst some law firms are suspending trainee programmes and new intakes this year, Challinors is bucking the trend and remaining supportive of new entrants,” said HR director Helen Jarvis. “It is vital to support the professionals of the future, and this is an important focus for Challinors and at the foundation of its plans to become one of the top five law firms in the region.”
Challinors’ new trainees are Lisa Whitehouse, Louise Jackson, Jamie Partington and Samantha Woolley, with its existing trainees scheduled to qualify in 2009.
“The firm is committed to backing the lawyers of the future, so we were naturally more than happy to take up Birmingham City University on their invitation to be involved in its consultation with a handful of the region’s law firms, as it plans for the introduction of a new LPC,” said Ms Jarvis
“The university is beginning to plan for the new structure and content of the LPC under the guidelines of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, to ensure the course it provides matches the requirements of the law firms its students could be working for one day, so the course content and structure is grounded in the real world and needs of the business community.”
Sonya Smith, the LPC programme director at BCU said: “The Solicitors Regulation Authority is looking to providers to review how the LPC is delivered to increase its flexibility.
“We are keen to do this in a considered manner, which reflects the views and requirements of law practices, so their trainees arrive armed with the most relevant experience and qualities. Consulting with law firms like Challinors is an important route to achieving this.
“We have an excellent relationship with Challinors, with several of its senior lawyers regularly delivering lectures to our students, most recently Challinors’ partner Fiona Debney.
“Our consultation is a rolling programme involving regular meetings with representatives from some of the region’s top law firms, both private client and corporate practices.”
Challinors has offices in Birmingham city centre, Edgbaston, West Bromwich and Nottingham. The firm has 25 partners and more than 120 fee earners.
