Four new trainee solicitors have joined Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office as part of the firm’s 2025 intake, marking another step in the firm’s continued investment in developing home-grown legal talent across Yorkshire.
The new trainees – Callum Worts, Alexandra Wood-Tonks, Katharina Looi Kiesel and Hanzala Syed – are among 14 graduates who have joined the firm across its offices in Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and, for the first time following the merger with The Endeavour Partnership, in Teesside.
Caroline Jones, Head of Emerging Talent at Ward Hadaway, said: “Our trainee programme continues to be one of the most important ways we invest in the firm’s future. This year’s group represents a diverse mix of skills and backgrounds and we’re especially pleased to welcome our first Teesside-based trainees onto our programme since The Endeavour Partnership merger. Each of our trainees brings something unique and we look forward to supporting them as they build their careers.”
Ward Hadaway’s trainee programme offers exposure to a wide range of practice areas and clients, from regional businesses to national organisations. Looking ahead, Ward Hadaway will also open trainee opportunities in its Birmingham office for the first time, with applications for 2027 and 2028 training contracts opening on 1 November 2025.
Emma Digby, Executive Partner in Ward Hadaway’s Leeds office, said: “Leeds continues to attract some of the best young lawyers in the country and we’re proud to be part of that. Our trainees are the future of the firm, and helping them grow, both professionally and personally, is something we take great pride in. Their enthusiasm and ideas bring real energy to our teams and to our clients.”
The Leeds trainees are settling into their first seats across a range of departments including corporate, litigation, real estate and employment. Each will work closely with senior lawyers, gaining practical experience on live client projects and contributing to the firm’s continued regional growth.
Callum Worts, one of the new Leeds-based trainees, said: “Starting my training contract in Leeds feels like the perfect next step. The city has an amazing legal community and being part of a firm that gives trainees real responsibility and support from day one makes a huge difference. I’m looking forward to learning from so many experienced people and contributing to the team.”
Image provided by Ward Hadaway
