Future looks bright for WHN with five trainees reaching key milestones

North West law firm Woodcocks Haworth and Nuttall Solicitors (WHN) has invested in future industry talent with five of its trainees recently progressing through their chosen routes towards professional qualification.

Over the past four months trainees Megan Frost, Lucie Rushton, Kate Naylor, Michaela Miller and Elizabeth Groom, have started or advanced into their next stage of professional development, gaining valuable skills and experience through WHN’s training programme. 

Megan, from Bacup, completed her Legal Practice Course (LPC) and qualified as a solicitor in June. She joined WHN in February 2022 working as a legal assistant and paralegal before beginning her training contract. With a degree in law and a postgraduate honours degree in law, business and management, Megan supports the residential conveyancing team based in WHN’s Haslingden office.

Previously a paralegal in the firm’s dispute resolution team, Lucie commenced her training contract with WHN in August. She is based in the firm’s Bury office and her training involves key client services including commercial disputes, employment law and long leasehold dispute resolution. Lucie is also currently completing her Legal Practice Course and Master of Law, studying part-time at Leeds Beckett University.

Joining WHN as a trainee in July, Kate immediately began her Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), a recently launched new route to qualify as a solicitor in England and Wales, which she is studying at UCLan. Kate has a law degree from Northumbria University, graduating with first-class honours, and has commenced her training at WHN in its family law team.

Trainee Michaela is currently undertaking a Level 4 CLC Course with Professional Vocational Training Ltd and is training to become a licensed conveyancer. She joined WHN’s Haslingden office on a permanent basis in March 2019, and provides an important role within WHN’s residential conveyancing team, dealing with property sales, purchases and transfers.

Elizabeth, WHN’s most recent trainee, started her training contract in October. She has a degree in law and master’s in international business, finance and corporate law. Elizabeth’s training will be based in the firm’s Haslingden office, involving a variety of client services including residential conveyancing, wills and probate and court of protection work. In her second and final year of training Elizabeth will focus predominantly on private client work.

Michael Shroot, CEO at WHN Solicitors, said: “Throughout our history, our success has been based on the recruitment and development of people who can provide outstanding advice to clients. The recent progress of Megan, Lucie, Kate, Michaela, and Elizabeth, who have all been part of our trainee programme, proves the investment we make in professional development results in a team of talented and hugely professional people.

“Our qualities lie in our people and their experiences. Offering a range of opportunities and routes to qualification and the flexibility to study and work through our training programmes is as valuable and important to us now as it was when the firm was first established over 200 years ago.”

WHN Solicitors employs 110 staff across Lancashire and Greater Manchester and has offices in Accrington, Bacup, Bury, Blackburn, Clitheroe, Haslingden, Great Harwood and Rawtenstall. It advises businesses, individuals and families on a full range of legal matters.