Oxley and Coward nurturing trainee talent

The firm currently has three trainee solicitors on its books, including new starter Samina Rashid.

She has joined Fiona Hyde, who has just completed one year of her course and Amy Cusworth, who is coming to the end of her two-year training contract.

Throughout the 24-month programme, each trainee must gain experience in at least three legal departments, while being constantly assessed, before they are adjudged to have completed enough areas successfully to become fully fledged, qualified solicitors and practitioners of law.

The training schedule for solicitors is one of the most demanding of any profession and while trainees start at the bottom,legal training demands looking at some of the very serious issues that solicitors deal with.

Amy has been working with Rebecca Stopford in the company and commercial law and has recently been helping to advise clients at this year's Enterprise Show.

“Not many solicitors of our size take on so many trainees,” said partner and training principal Richard Sheppard.

“The number we take on has grown over the last few years and we see it as a real investment in future talent.

“Taking on trainees is of course not cheap, particularly in today's difficult economic climate, but we remain optimistic and committed to encouraging and developing the skills of the local talent of the future.

“In return, our current trainees have rewarded us with the highest levels of commitment and hard work.

“I am delighted with the progress they have made.”