Two More UK Law Firms Unveil COVID-19 Trainee Deferrals, Measures
The measures include deferring new starters and establishing a mentoring scheme.
July 03, 2020 at 05:52 AM
3 minute read
HFW and DWF are the latest U.K. law firms to unveil new measures for trainees and future trainees in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
HFW has moved to defer the start-date for its training contracts, pushing it back seven months from September 2020 to April 2021. Future trainees are set to receive a £5,000 deferral payment, according to a spokesperson for the firm.
The person added that all incoming trainees were informed via a phone call from the managing partner, Jeremy Shebson, and the firm has arranged a program of training sessions and other events to keep in touch with them throughout the deferral.
In a statement, Shebson added: "Given the continued uncertainty with Covid-19 in the U.K., we have taken the decision to defer our September 2020 trainee intake to make sure that we are bringing them into the business at a time when we can provide them with the support that they need to develop their skills and start their career."
Meanwhile, fellow U.K. firm DWF has introduced a mentoring scheme for final-seat trainees which pairs them up with partners who qualified during the financial crisis in 2008-09.
The scheme consists of mentoring sessions for the trainees, including a discussion in which partners shared what they went through and how they reached partnership despite the period of uncertainty, according to the firm.
DWF is set to deliver 121 sessions between the trainees and mentors, who have also been offered sessions with DWF's recruitment team which focus on the application process, CV building and interview skills.
It comes as the firm confirms only 25 newly qualified (NQ) job vacancies for its trainees due to qualify this September, from a cohort of 37.
If DWF manages to fill all 25 roles with current trainees, it will be a retention rate of 68%. Last year, the firm's retention rate was 63%.
In addition, the firm has announced that no cuts will be made to NQ salaries this year.
The moves follow those of other firms including DLA Piper and Irwin Mitchell who have also offered payments to incoming trainees in return for deferring start-dates.
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Large UK Firms Maintain 2020 Trainee Intake as Mid-Tier Wavers
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