The Bristol office Clarke Willmott has taken on four trainee solicitors as part of a 12-strong intake across the national law firm.
The move, which Clarke Willmott said was one of its biggest-ever trainee enrolments, follows its most financially successful year to date, during which it achieved annual growth of 12%. 
The firm’s HR director Daniel Jones, pictured, said the dozen traineeships – including Ruth Metelerkamp, Lily Dawkes, Sylvie Ball and Alice Keane in Bristol – were evidence of its commitment to expansion.
“Clarke Willmott grows and develops its own talent, recruiting trainees exclusively from the non-qualified fee earners already working for us,” he added.
“This demonstrates our commitment to building the careers of our own staff and gives us the opportunity to help shape the lawyers of tomorrow – both in terms of legal skills and also the broader human skills to deliver excellent service for our clients.” 
Daniel said the firm was embracing opportunities provided by the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), which aims to widen inclusivity and open up new routes for people into the profession.
“The new trainees recently underwent an in-person induction at our Bristol office to share the new programme, to provide some training and development and the chance to network with each other,” he added.
The firm will use College of Legal Practice for the prep courses for SQE 1 and 2, as part of its commitment to building excellent well-rounded lawyers.
It has also built two additional electives into the trainee programme, including being an ‘O-shaped lawyer’ – a well-rounded person who combines technical competence with commerciality, innovation, accountability and a growth mindset.
The firm also offices in Birmingham, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.
