Unique appointment as Square One Law’s first trainee qualifies as a solicitor

Commercial law firm, Square One Law, has been expanding rapidly since it was established two years ago and its latest appointment, Lucy Bailey, is unique, as the firm’s first graduate trainee to qualify as a solicitor.

Lucy was paralegalling in the energy team of a well known US law firm in Singapore – where her parents are based – when she was contacted by one of Square One Law’s founding partners, Ian Gilthorpe, offering her an opportunity to join his start-up business in Newcastle as a paralegal, with a view to being offered a training contract if she liked the firm and they liked her.

She had never lived in the North East before, but had studied for her law degree at Leeds University. After a few months paralegalling work, Lucy began her training contract in September 2011 and has just become a fully qualified lawyer and joins the firm’s employment and energy teams.

Lucy said: “My training contact was best described as ‘untraditional’ but I can’t imagine there are many other newly qualified lawyers with the experience that I have had access to, in relation to deals, working closely with clients, responsibility  and perhaps most importantly, advice and mentoring from senior partners.”

Ian Gilthorpe said: “As an entrepreneurial law firm we are attracting exceptionally good quality lawyers so we know Lucy has been well trained and has had the opportunity to work alongside experienced partners and senior associates across the firm.

“We are all delighted to congratulate Lucy as our first trainee to qualify. She has seen the firm grow from 4 people on the day she started to currently 40. I believe the exposure of being involved with the development of a new business and brand, is something totally unique and that no other trainee would experience.”