Ward Hadaway welcomes 14 new trainees
14 new trainee solicitors have joined Ward Hadaway as part of the firm’s 2025 intake, with eight of them based in the North East across its Newcastle and Teesside offices – marking another step in the firm’s continued investment in developing home-grown legal talent across the region.
In Newcastle, five new trainees – Daisy Agar, Lia Murray-Smith, Ted Jemison, Kanyinsola Lawal and Orlaigh Mullen – have joined the team, while in Teesside, Somer Pearson, Georgia Cowley and Iona Healy have begun their training.
Caroline Jones, Head of Emerging Talent at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our trainee programme continues to be one of the most important ways we invest in the firm’s future. This year’s group represents a diverse mix of skills and backgrounds and we’re especially pleased to welcome our first Teesside-based trainees onto our programme since The Endeavour Partnership merger. Each of our trainees brings something unique and we look forward to supporting them as they build their careers.”
This year’s intake reflects the continued growth of Ward Hadaway across the North East and beyond. Following the merger, the Teesside team has become fully integrated into the firm’s network, with both offices now offering early-career opportunities and hands-on experience for aspiring lawyers in the region. The firm is also preparing to expand its trainee programme nationally, opening opportunities in its Birmingham office for the first time. Applications for 2027 and 2028 training contracts will open on 1 November 2025, including vacancies in Birmingham alongside opportunities across the North.
Steven Petrie, Managing Partner at Ward Hadaway, said: “Nurturing emerging talent is central to the way we grow as a firm. Trainees bring fresh ideas, energy and ambition and they help us to stay connected to the changing expectations of clients and the profession. Investing in people at the very start of their legal careers ensures we have the skills, insight and resilience needed for the future.”
The North East trainees are settling into their first seats across a range of departments including corporate, litigation, real estate and employment. Each will work closely with senior lawyers, gaining practical experience on live client projects and contributing to the firm’s continued regional growth.
Iona Healy, one of the new Teesside-based trainees, said: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining Ward Hadaway. The chance to start my legal career in Teesside, while being part of a national firm, is a fantastic opportunity. We’ve had such a warm welcome already and I’m looking forward to the variety of experiences we’ll gain during our training. Ward Hadaway is an amazing place to kick-start my career.”
