As the legal sector continues to be saturated by law graduates hoping to be the solicitors of tomorrow, leading Manchester law firm George Davies Solicitors LLP has adopted a fresh approach to ensure these hopefuls are helped along the way in the current tough market.
Managing Partner, Mark Hovell explains “In the current market a number of firms have reassessed their staffing requirements which has resulted in fewer training contracts being offered. We want to do all that we can to help upcoming solicitors gain commercial awareness; business understanding; and experience under the guidance of our partners and associates, whilst waiting for that ever more elusive training contract. With that in mind we have looked to offer more work experience placements; paid summer internships; and fixed contract paralegal roles to give students vital work experience and a competitive edge. It also gives us an ideal opportunity to spot the rising stars!”
George Davies are currently providing essential CV boosting experience to three paralegals; Mark Hague; Kimberly Walley; and Mark Soboljew who are working within the insolvency, employment and litigation teams. Sarah Walsh has also been taken on as a trainee solicitor following 12 months as a paralegal in the Business Development department.
During August a team of four law students completed paid summer internships, assisting with the scanning and file destruction initiative as the firm strives become more environmentally friendly and store less paper. One of these students, Joanne Pye, has now been rewarded with a part-time position in the Business Development department where she will help out on event organisation whilst she undertakes the Legal Practice Course.
From footballer to lawyer…
George Davies has provided experience opportunities to over 20 students during 2011 and is committed to continue offering valuable opportunities to the solicitors of the future.
George Davies was an obvious choice for ex-professional footballer Adie Mike when he wanted to get a flavour of life at a law firm (pictured with Mark Hovell - left) . Adie explains “I retired from football in 2003 after a successful career which saw me play for a number of clubs including Manchester City, Stockport County, Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers. At that stage I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do so I worked part time at JJB Sports and studied a course in personal training. I then worked as a personal trainer for a number of years. Recently one of my contacts, Colin Murdock, had trained as a solicitor and was looking to practise sports law and that sounded appealing. After doing some research I decided to go for it so I started a full time law degree with BPP in Manchester. From the start I was told it was important to get some work experience on my cv. Colin put me in touch with sports lawyer Mark Hovell at George Davies to sort some work experience and I spent some time at the firm in September 2011. It has been great to spend time with the sports team here and to see the sort of work that the team advises on. This is my first experience of working in an office and I am glad to say it has been a positive one!'
