Switalskis has announced the appointment of five trainees, bringing its total number of trainee solicitors to 14.

Continuing its commitment to supporting aspiring legal professionals, Switalskis has appointed Cyman Kaur, Hannah Nagle, Ben Harding, Sarah Loxley and Charlotte Henshall as trainee solicitors. Charlotte has become a trainee from her role as paralegal within Switalskis’ child abuse litigation team .

The new cohort will undertake a two-year Qualifying Solicitors Programme, gaining experience at one or more of Switalskis’ 12 locations across Yorkshire and in London. Each person will change seats to develop their experience and practical training in different areas of law.

Hannah Nagle and Sarah Loxley will take their first seats in Switalskis’ clinical negligence department whose work involves representing clients with extremely complex and sensitive cases. Cyman Kaur joins Switalskis’ commercial property team and Charlotte Henshall and Ben Harding take their first seats in Switalskis’ personal injury team.

Named winner of the coveted ‘Large Law firm of the Year’ award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2023, Switalskis has developed a robust reputation for investing in grass roots talent through its bespoke Qualifying Solicitors Programme. In addition, Switalskis has launched its new bespoke Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship which will open for internal and external applications from September 2024. The Apprenticeship, which will span over 32 months, will support graduates through to qualification.

Amy Clowrey, who is a director and solicitor in Switalskis’ child abuse litigation department and Switalskis’ dedicated training principal, says: “It’s a privilege to welcome our new trainees. They are an impressive cohort and I’m in no doubt that our bespoke Qualifying Solicitors Programme will provide a strong foundation on which they’ll build a successful legal career with Switalskis.”

Says Tim Halstead, Switalskis’ chief operating officer: “We’re a people business so recruiting and retaining great people is a top priority. So too is developing our talent from the early stages of their career right through to director level. Our robust Qualifying Solicitors Programme gives our trainees, associates, senior associates and directors a clear vision of how they can achieve the next step in their legal careers. They’ve already impressed us during the recruitment process and I look forward to watching them develop their careers further with us.”