Firms

Ward Hadaway

 

Survey results

Survey results

 

The lowdown (in their own words...)

Why did you choose this firm over any others? 

 ''In the location that I wanted'; 'definitely feels like it's a firm going places'; 'reputation and client base is unequalled in Newcastle'; 'relaxed atmosphere'; 'excellent-quality work'; 'the quality of training and support provided impressed me'; 'wanted to work for a top firm within the region'; 'a good reputation for public sector work'' 

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 

 ''Slightly less pressurised'; 'high levels of responsibility'; 'better hours'; 'good level of support'; 'quality of work'; 'approachable supervisors'; 'more friendly environment'; 'we get proper work to do'; 'lack of employee benefits'; 'far more structure and support'; 'far more client contact'' 

Best thing about the firm? 

 ''The people'; 'diversity of departments and friendly teams'; 'the clients'; 'the breadth of work'; 'large firm but manages to retain its 'close-knit' feel'; 'level of supervision is also good'; 'the firm appreciates its trainees'; 'lots of encouragement to engage in the firm's working and social life, as well as skill-building and enjoyable activities'' 

Worst thing about the firm? 

 ''The varying quality of coffee machines!'; 'lack of communication to trainees'; 'occasional lack of structured mentorship'; 'it is a little departmentalised'; 'sometimes unrealistic expectations of trainees'' 

Best moment? 

 ''Taking on my own cases'; 'having a CEO call up my supervisor to compliment me on a difficult piece of work'; 'meeting and interviewing clients for the first time'; 'taking satisfied clients out to celebrate a victory'; 'receiving positive feedback from a senior partner on a piece of difficult work'' 

Worst moment?

 ''Thinking that I'd lost a document which would have required significant time and expense to replace.... thankfully I'd only temporarily misplaced it!'; 'a particular week where the hours were very long'; 'when a file I was dealing with went missing''

The Lex 100 verdict

 The Verdict

The firm

Ward Hadaway is increasingly viewed as a major player, both in the North East and beyond. Strategically, its focus on public sector work is proving successful, with the firm regularly advising on major public sector projects across the country. On the private side it's regularly instructed on significant deals. Ambitious to grow further, the firm opened a Leeds office in July 2008 and has since become a major player in the City. 

The star performers

Agriculture and estates; Banking and finance; Charities; Clinical negligence: defendant; Commercial litigation; Commercial property; Corporate and commercial; Corporate tax; Crime; Debt recovery; EU and competition; Education; Employment; Environment; Family; Health; Health and safety; IT and telecoms; IP; Licensing; Local government; Media; Private Finance Initiative (PFI); Pensions; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Planning; Public sector; Transport.

The deals

Advised Nottingham City Council on new project delivery through its Local Education Partnership; advice to Allied London Group relating to retail lettings in the Spinningfields development in Manchester.

The clients

Begbies Traynor; Berry & Co; Mazars; a number of NHS trusts; Nottingham City Council; One NorthEast; PwC.

The Verdict

If you are looking for a firm that is 'going places' take a closer look at Ward Hadaway. With offices in Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle (where its reputation is 'unequalled'), it is well regarded for its expertise in public sector law and provides trainees with a 'better quality of work' than some competitors. The 'high standard' of training is 'rigorous yet supportive' and trainees seem to be happy with the results. In general the atmosphere at the firm is 'slightly less pressurised and more relaxed' and one trainee comments that people 'take an interest in you as an individual'. 'Going to London for completion meetings' or 'attending roundtable meetings between parties' are typical experiences and current trainees say the firm has a rather 'sink or swim' attitude' towards taking on responsibility. This is met with a positive response from current trainees who feel that it 'sets them apart' from others. Decisions can sometimes be 'shrouded in secrecy' and due to the amount of work coming in there can be an 'occasional lack of structured mentoring' says one trainee, there could also be more employee benefits according to another. However, with the chance to run your own files early on in a well-established firm that encourages its trainees 'to engage in its working and social life', confident individuals should consider Ward Hadaway.