Trainees take up new roles at Vincents

Two young lawyers have entered into full-time training contracts with Vincents Solicitors. The Lancashire law firm has formally appointed James Yates and Jonathan Laverey to the team following completion of their legal practice course (LPC).

Both have been with the firm on a part-time basis since 2009 while they completed their LPC at The University of Law, Manchester. Prior to that, both undertook graduate diplomas in law at the University of Central Lancashire after undergraduate degrees elsewhere.

James, 26, has been working as part of the criminal team over the last three years but has now transferred to the personal injury department. He said: “It’s vital to get good work experience alongside the formal education, and I’ve had incredible support from Vincents over the last few years. I was hoping that success in the LPC would lead to a full time training contract and so I’m delighted.

“I’ve enjoyed working in the criminal department and learned a huge amount. Now I’m looking forward to working in PI, followed by a couple of other departments while I complete my training, as I’ve not yet decided in which area I will choose to specialise. At Vincents there is every opportunity to get a broad education in a range of fields.”

Jonathan, 28, has been part of the PI department in recent years but has since moved to the commercial team for the start of this contract. He said: “It’s great to get the contract with Vincents, particularly as competition at this level is strong and such opportunities are like gold dust.

“I started as a paralegal in 2009 and worked here throughout my studies, so I’m delighted to be able to continue my education in familiar surroundings with a formal training contract. There are several routes into the law and, while it was hard work doing both, I’m glad I was able to combine the theory and the practice at the same time and believe I’ve had a much stronger grounding because of it.”

Phillip Gilmore, Vincents managing partner, said: “We’re pleased to offer Jonathan and James the chance to continue their career development here with Vincents. Both have proven themselves to be hard workers and fast learners over the last few years and have become an integral part of the team. “As a large firm with almost a dozen different departments, Vincents is in a good position to provide the kind of broad training that will benefit new entrants to the profession. From our point of view, we’re always on the look out for new talent to support the growth of the firm, and so bringing on young lawyers means we can train them in-house to the level and standard our clients expect.”