Trainee solicitor hails Cheshire law firm’s invaluable support

A leading Cheshire law firm has been praised for its continued support and dedication to staff development.

Hannah Dale, who joined Warrington-based Watsons Solicitors in April 2020, is 12 months into a two-year traineeship.

She said: “I can’t speak highly enough of working at Watsons. The senior staff genuinely care about the rest of the team and the environment we all work in.

“It is a great place to be able to develop my skills because there is no lack of support at every turn.”

As part of her training to become a solicitor, Hannah will have shadowed members of the wills and probate, family, and conveyancing departments.

Reflecting on a whirlwind first 12 months of her traineeship, Hannah continued: “I can’t believe how fast it has gone since I started last June.

“There have been so many fantastic learning experiences and opportunities to develop my skillset.

“For example, shadowing Danny Hudson and Catrin Parry (partners and members of the family department), going to court, as well as initial appointments with clients, has really helped develop my knowledge and understanding. 

“Danny has given me tasks to help my understanding, which has been invaluable, and I’ve met so many top barristers – seeing them in action is remarkable.”

Hannah continued: “The thing I enjoy more than anything else is providing the clients with the help they need.

“With wills and probate, you see vulnerable people who need support and help at a really sad time in their lives. It can be comforting to them to be able to trust us with sorting their loved one’s affairs whilst they themselves take time to grieve.  

“It’s the chance to build relationships which is great for me.”

As part of her training, Hannah is also undertaking a Professional Skills Course (PSC), aimed at developing specialist skills and knowledge needed for the transition into legal practice.

Hannah joined Watsons Solicitors having undertaken a Legal Practice Course (LPC) with the University of Law following an undergraduate degree at the University of Chester.

She added: “I’ve had to put a lot of hard work in myself, but as I have said previously, the support around me has been great and helped me develop.”

Watsons Solicitors, which has been established for more than 60 years, specialises in family law, employment law, wills and probate, and conveyancing. The team of experienced solicitors holds various accreditations and memberships of professional bodies relevant to their expertise, while the firm’s partners oversee all areas of work.