NQ and trainee hires as DWF expands Scottish presence

Global legal firm DWF has appointed five newly qualified solicitors and taken on six new trainees across its Scottish teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Taking up newly-qualified solicitor positions in September are Katherine Lynch, Sara Baskin, Hope Donnachie, Katy Smith and Nicole Hannah. Their roles will span DWF's legal advisory teams in employment, real estate, insurance and corporate law.

The new trainee solicitors are Columba Cordingley, Hannah McGirr, Iona Hamilton, Monica Kochar, Rachael Ward and Sophie Campbell. Their two-year training process will comprise four six-month seats across the two offices before they qualify as solicitors in two years' time.

DWF said the new roles were part of "a sustained period of growth in Scotland which has, driven by client demand, seen 22 new starters since the beginning of 2021". 

Wayne Lawrence, executive partner in Edinburgh, commented: "It's been a very positive first half of the year and we are delighted to be able to invest in the next generation with five newly-qualified positions and six trainee solicitor roles among our new arrivals, which is aligned to our wider commitment to develop legal talent for the future."

Paul Pignatelli, executive partner of DWF's Glasgow office, added: "The expansion of our teams is directly in response to the needs of our clients and is a very positive sign in an otherwise challenging environment. We look forward to continuing this positive momentum as the year progresses, buoyed by our Glasgow move later this month into new fitter-for-purpose premises in The Sentinel."