Simon Craddock, Brethertons Training Principal

“Yes hello folks, I’m Simon - the partner with the trainee hat on – the one that can make or break you!  Only joking, I’m not a monster, I’m a really nice guy which is why they give me the job to ‘look after the trainees, or die'."

The Same: Well, we actually take the progress of our trainees very seriously, after all, your future as a lawyer is only as good as the legal training you’ve received and the guidance you’ve been given.  It’s totally important to us that we get your legal training right, after all you could be a future partner in Brethertons or another firm and the accuracy of your legal knowledge and the client skills you develop are going to be of paramount importance. 

The Difference: We like to ensure our trainees bond together as a team themselves, so there is always a support network of people in the same position as you that you can call on.
We like to think we’re pretty good with trainee development.  We’re even recognised next to Clifford Chance by The Lawyer Magazine in the 2007 HR Awards for our Training Recruitment Campaign of the Year which includes:

• recognition for a lawyer trainee development culture; plus
• implementation of a work experience programme for would-be lawyer trainees.”
  

"My job share situation is the best of both worlds for me because I’m able to spend time with our son. The firm’s nursery voucher scheme is really important to us because it ensures that we get good nursery care on the days when I am at work."