Member Article

Simpson Millar welcomes seven internal candidates onto new Solicitor Qualification Programme  

National law firm Simpson Millar has welcomed seven colleagues from across the business onto its Solicitor Qualification Programme (SQP).

The successful candidates, all of whom were recruited internally in line with the firm’s ongoing commitment to investing in its people, work across various departments including Private Client Services, Public Law and the Contact Centre, will now embark on a bespoke training programme.

This is the first year that Simpson Millar has offered an SQP, which focuses on the numerous routes to Solicitor qualification now open.

The firm opted to expand its trainee solicitor programme to give colleagues more opportunities for careers in the law with access to various apprenticeships and Qualifying Work Experience.

Alice Helm, Lisa Morris, Ameeta Bhuhi and Eleanor Gauld, all of whom sit within the Public Law team, alongside Abbie Gower from Private Client Services, as well as Emily Roberts and Jessica Lea from the Contact Centre will NOW complete their Period of Recognised Training.

This training programme will last a period of 2 years during which our colleagues will complete bespoke training within one of our three practice areas. At the conclusion of this period, subject to meeting the regulatory requirements, they will be admitted to the roll of Solicitors.

Caprice Haughton and Brendan Lynn from the Service Centre, as well as Eve French and Kate Hall from Public Law will also embark on the Solicitor Graduate Apprenticeship scheme - a new route to qualification, which acts as an alternative to the traditional legal practice course.

It enables people to get real work experience while progressing on their path to admission to the roll of Solicitors.
  Yasmin Dacas from Private Client Services has joined the Solicitor Apprenticeship scheme. Having previously worked as part of Simpson Millar’s sales function she will now embark on a six-year training programme that will allow her to progress into a formal legal career.

The programme affords candidates the opportunity to get work experience while studying to become a Solicitor.

Nicola Darlington, a Partner and Training Principal at Simpson Millar who started at the firm in the Call Centre, before undergoing her Solicitor training, said: “Our people play a fundamental part in enabling us to succeed, we are committed to investing in their futures, providing everyone with the opportunities they needed to progress their own careers and meet their goals.

“While many firms open applications to external candidates, we only accept applications from internal colleagues. We are incredibly lucky to have a huge pool of talent within the business which we are committed to acknowledging and rewarding with the right opportunities at the right time.

“This year’s applications were exceptionally strong.

“These successful candidates exemplify everything that’s great about our Simpson Millar team, not only are they talented, driven but they breathe life into our values and are an example of the future of our business.

“Their places on the various training courses are thoroughly deserved, and we are thrilled to support them as they begin the next phase of their careers. It is our belief that there is much more to come from them all, and that they will play an integral part in helping Simpson Millar to continue to open up the law.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Isabella Storey .