Steele Raymond welcomes more top talent to its leading training programme

Amy Baugh, Jessica Wade and Ben MacDiarmid join the Bournemouth-based firm to embark on a two-year training contract, which is split across a variety of specialist legal areas at six month intervals.

Bournemouth-born Amy Baugh studied for both her law degree and her Legal Practice Course (LPC) at Bournemouth University, during which time she joined Steele Raymond as a placement student. Returning as a trainee, Amy will take a seat within the expanding Family team.

Commenting on her appointment, Amy said: “I am really looking forward to gaining experience in areas of law which are new to me in practice, as well as finding out which area of law I enjoy the most and might like to specialise in in the future.”

Jessica Wade, also from Bournemouth, joins the training programme after graduating from Exeter and Bournemouth Universities, where she studied English Law and her LPC respectively. She found her way to Steele Raymond via the firm’s highly regarded assessment days, throughout which candidates complete various tasks and problem-solving exercises, whilst also being given the opportunity to meet the Partners and newly qualified solicitors.

When asked about the experience, Jessica said: “After attending assessment days at four other firms, it was clear that Steele Raymond offered a more forward-thinking approach. They made me feel incredibly welcome from the moment I entered the building and I was encouraged to speak with senior figures from within the firm; something I didn’t experience anywhere else.”

Jessica will take her first seat within the Steele Raymond’s leading Company and Commercial team.

Another Bournemouth local, Ben MacDiarmid studied Law at Reading University and, after graduating in 2013, returned home with plans to gain some ‘real-world’ experience before making a move into law.

After three years in the finance sector, Ben took a paralegal role in the Company and Commercial team at Steele Raymond, whilst simultaneously completing his LPC at Bournemouth University. Ben takes his first seat in the Dispute Resolution team and gave the following advice to those considering a career in law: “Try not to pigeon-hole yourself too early; there are many different areas of law and it’s wise to gain some experience before deciding where to specialise.”

Asked why other prospective lawyers should consider beginning their career at Steele Raymond, Ben said: “As a paralegal, I was doing a lot more ‘actual work’ than I was expecting and was even given the opportunity to deliver at a trainee-level.”

Commercial Property Partner and Training Principal responsible for training contracts at Steele Raymond, Jennifer Rogerson said:

“Our relentless focus on the delivery of a proactive training programme is testament to how important trainee solicitors are to the future of our firm. The level of talent that we see each year makes for a difficult selection process, but also means that we get the very best individuals at an important and formative stage in their careers.”

Commenting on this year’s trainee recruits, Jennifer said:

“All three are fantastic; not only are they extremely talented young solicitors but their personalities fit perfectly with life at Steele Raymond. What is particularly encouraging is the variety of ways in which they arrived at the training contract – there are all sorts of routes into law and this shows that no path is necessarily ‘right’ or ‘wrong’.

Interested in a career in law? If you are considering a career in law please visit our Trainee Recruitment Programme pages or contact Jennifer Rogerson on 01202 294566 or email [email protected].