Taylor Emmet sees record applications for graduate programme

The graduate training programme, pivotal to Taylor Emmet’s growth strategy since its inception in 2016, offers a two-year contract that allows trainee solicitors to explore four different legal practice areas while focusing on both personal and professional development. The programme holds a 90% retention rate of trainee solicitors upon their admission to the firm.

Strategic collaborations

Taylor Emmet collaborates closely with educational institutions such as the University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam, and the University of Law, in addition to attracting national applicants. The selection process for the programme is thorough, involving initial interviews, presentations, and team exercises to ensure a diverse and vibrant team of trainees each year. Currently, the firm has 14 trainee solicitors and an additional 14 individuals undertaking CILEX courses.

Sharna Poxon, HR director at Taylor Emmet, highlighted the programme’s success and its strategic importance: “Since starting the graduate training programme, we’ve seen a year-on-year increase in the number of applications and from such a diverse range of talented individuals who are wanting to join us.”

She further emphasised, “Not only has the programme been transformational in harnessing a rich pool of talent, but it facilitates strategic planning as we recruit two years in advance.”

Poxon also pointed out the advantages of early engagement with future trainee solicitors: “Wherever possible, we engage with our future trainee solicitors in advance of them commencing their training contract with us. That way, our trainees, already familiar with our team and departments, can hit the ground running and contribute from day one.”

Success stories

The success of Taylor Emmet’s Graduate Training Programme is exemplified by former trainees like Oliver Simpson, who completed the programme in 2019 and was recently promoted to partner.

Poxon expressed enthusiasm about the programme’s impact on the local community: “We’ve also found that many locally born graduates returning to Sheffield after university have joined our programme which has enriched our team with homegrown talent. We also find many local graduates love the city so much, they want to stay! We are excited to continue expanding our trainee positions into more departments.”