GRADUATES ARE A TO WATSON BURTON
WELCOME TO WATSON BURTON ABOUT WATSON BURTON REBECCA NOBLE AT WATSON BURTON, YOU RE CONSIDERED PART OF THE TEAM AS SOON AS YOU START CHOOSING WHERE TO START YOUR LEGAL CAREER IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION. At Watson Burton we want to help you reach your goals and as part of the team you ll be given everything you need to help achieve your potential. With an established track record of recruiting and training talented, ambitious lawyers, we ofer you the opportunity to work in a challenging, rewarding environment alongside some of the most dynamic and successful businesses in the UK. WATSON BURTON IS A LEADING LAW FIRM WITH A WELL-EARNED REPUTATION FOR HELPING OUR CLIENTS SUCCEED. For over 200 years we have ofered commercial law services and have signiicant nationwide coverage, providing irst class legal advice from oices in Newcastle, Leeds and London. Key to our success is a combination of commercial and technical experience delivered with a personal touch, which forms the foundation of many long-standing client relationships.
OUT OF VINAYA VINAYA JIGAJINNI STARTED HER SHIP WITH WATSON BURTON IN 2014 AND NOW, SHE SEES HERSELF AS BEING PART OF THE FIRM FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. VINAYA JIGAJINNI NEWLY QUALIFIED SOLICITOR WE LIKE TO HAVE FUN HERE AND THERE S A GREAT WORK/LIFE BALANCE I initially undertook a Biomedical Science Degree at Newcastle University, from which I graduated in 2005, but then decided to move into law. Following my LPC at Northumbria University, I began working with Watson Burton as a paralegal, before becoming a trainee. At Watson Burton, you don t feel like just a number you re treated as part of the team. The irm wants you to have the best training possible and to be the best you can be. Some law irms can be quite intimidating but Watson Burton is diferent. The staf here make a real efort to make you feel included. They are very approachable. Also, we like to have fun here and there s a great work/ life balance. And as someone who has now lived in Newcastle for more than 13 years, I can say that it s a great city to live and work in!
OUT OF FRANCESCA FIRST YEAR FRANCESCA IS RECEIVING THE SUPPORT SHE NEEDS TO DEVELOP HER CAREER FRANCESCA HAWKER FIRST YEAR WATSON BURTON HAS A CLOSE-KNIT, FAMILY FEEL I was very interested in following a career in commercial law as my father works in the house building industry. I irst met the Watson Burton team at a careers fair, they were really friendly towards me and as a result I wanted to know more about the irm. Since starting my traineeship I ve seen irst-hand that Watson Burton has a close-knit, family feel to it and when they say they have an open door policy, they really mean it! The partners are very supportive and understanding, and I never feel overwhelmed. All of the departments are encouraged to mingle together, which makes you feel like you are part of the bigger picture at Watson Burton and this inclusive approach strengthens your connections with other members of staf. There are many great social aspects to the irm too: we ve all taken part in the Watson Burton Olympics on a Nintendo Wii which has been great fun!
Living and working IN THE NORTH EAST working AT WATSON BURTON As a valued member of the team you will be encouraged and supported every step of the way to develop a commercially focused approach that our clients have come to value from us. The PRACTICE AREAS AT WATSON BURTON environment is professional and friendly, and allows The North East is a great place to live and work. Famous for its friendly people and iconic landscapes, the North East also ofers a vibrant cultural life through art galleries, museums, live venues, theatres and growing creative and professional communities. you to get real hands-on experience with clients. Beneits OF WORKING WITH US CORPORATE & COMMERCIAL The team deals with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and other corporate matters. We also advise on venture capital and private equity investments. In addition to transactional work, Watson Burton is PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE A niche area of law instructed by a number of key insurers in the ield. We work with a variety of solicitors and professional bodies, handling the concerns of a range of professionals including engineers, architects, surveyors, Competitive salary Pension scheme Healthcare scheme Generous study leave Paid professional memberships/subscriptions LPC fee support Regular social events Opportunities to be involved in our charity and community initiatives involved in assisting businesses with a wide range of commercial contracts. REAL ESTATE Our real estate team deals with handling negotiations for major commercial and residential schemes, acting for developers and investors. The team takes a very active role in the utilities, ground-rent and plot sales markets. insurance brokers, inancial advisers and accountants. EMPLOYMENT We have one of the most experienced employment groups in the North of England with a solid base in the North East, particularly in the education, construction, engineering and energy sectors as well as nationally with clients including multiple FTSE 250 listed companies. CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING Our construction and engineering group has COMMERCIAL LITIGATION Our commercial litigation team deals with a broad attracted some of the UK s largest housebuilders, developers, contractors and consultants as clients, tackling major projects and resolving the most complicated disputes. spectrum of areas including commercial disputes, property litigation and works with a number of clients including universities, housebuilders and utility providers.
OUT OF JESSICA JESSICA STARTED AS A IN 2015 AND SHE S ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. JESSICA BRAIN THE FIRM REALLY CARES ABOUT TRAINING AND SEES IT AS AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT I took a long time to decide on where the best place to train was going to be and I m glad I chose Watson Burton. What has really struck me about working here is that the irm really cares about training and sees it as an important investment. The company really wants to get the best out of you. It s also a irm with a friendly approach but with a lot of exciting clients, large and small, and through the work I m doing including attending a trial I can see the real outcomes of my contribution to a case, which is incredibly motivating. In addition, a number of partners have been at the irm since their training contract, so it s nice to see that there is the possibility to stay with the irm, progress and build a career here.
OUT OF RICHARD RICHARD PALMER STARTED OUT WITH THE FIRM AS A GRADUATE OVER 25 YEARS AGO HE IS NOW ONE OF THE EQUITY PARTNERS AT WATSON BURTON. RICHARD PALMER PARTNER THERE ARE HUGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRESSION AT WATSON BURTON When I irst encountered Watson Burton I sensed that it was a really great place to work with a good atmosphere: that shone through on my very irst day and it has been like that ever since. I work with clients in a wide range of sectors including property, technology and energy, helping people to ind solutions to problems which is what I enjoy. You ll certainly encounter lots of diferent challenges during your time here and be rewarded for your success too. In addition, there are huge opportunities for progression at Watson Burton. From qualifying and working in the irm s construction team, I became a partner in 1999 and I m now one of the principal owners of the business.
OUT OF OLIVIA OLIVIA IS A FIRST YEAR WITH WATSON BURTON AND SHE S ALREADY WORKING WITH MAJOR CLIENTS. OLIVIA COULSON AS A HERE, YOUR WORK REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE I had my irst taste of life at Watson Burton during a vacation placement a few years ago and it really sold the irm to me. It felt like they really invested in the next generation. However I was still very nervous when I walked through the door a few years later, on my irst day as a trainee. Within minutes, though, I was completely at ease. It s obvious that at Watson Burton, they want to encourage you to grow as a professional and will help you get the best out of your traineeship. As a trainee here, your work really makes a diference you are given responsibility and the irm puts its faith in you, they believe in your abilities. I ve already supported the team on very high level work with major clients and the partners ensure you are heavily involved. I m learning so much here!
OUT OF SARAH SARAH RETURNED TO HER NATIVE NORTH EAST TO TRAIN AT WATSON BURTON. AND SHE S MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE SARAH STUBBS THE TRAINING HERE IS VERY HANDS-ON If you re looking for a traineeship with a commercial law irm where there s a great work/life balance, where you ll be valued and where you ll be part of the team, then you should apply to Watson Burton. I m certainly glad I did! The training here is very hands-on and you can work on real cases from beginning to end the work is very interesting and varied too. The trainees are integrated very well into the departments they work in, and while every day is challenging, the working culture is warm and friendly whatever level you re at. Watson Burton is a large irm with a fantastic reputation, however it s not so large that you re ignored or pushed to one side: this is a place where you can progress as a trainee and thrive in your career.
TRAINING CONTRACT With consistently high retention rates, our training contract gives you the best possible start to your legal career. The contract is set out across two years covering four six-month rotations across our national groups. CALLUM REVELEY AT WATSON BURTON, YOU LL GET TO SEE THE BIG PICTURE You ll work across a range of disciplines to enable you to get an all-round understanding of commercial law and give you the skills you need for the future. You ll be given support and feedback at all stages and work closely with a mentor. VACATION SCHEME Our vacation scheme is an ideal way for you to experience life at Watson Burton before applying for a traineeship. You ll be considered part of the team and AMIR HUSSAIN YOU ARE CHALLENGED INTELLECTUALLY AND YOU RE ALSO NURTURED PAUL WIGHAM PARTNER WE PUT OUR TRUST IN PEOPLE AND THERE IS A GREAT CHANCE TO BUILD YOUR CAREER HERE be involved in all areas of the department. Not only will you get a feel for Watson Burton but you will also be able to develop your insight into commercial issues. REQUIREMENTS Applicants should be aiming to achieve a 2:1 or more in their degree. For further details on applications, deadlines, key dates and how to apply, please visit www.watsonburtongraduates.com or email graduates@watsonburton.com
WATSON BURTON 1 St James Gate Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 1YQ Tel: 0345 901 2100 Email: graduates@watsonburton.com Web: www.watsonburtongraduates.com