Local law firm Thatcher + Hallam LLP has announced the appointment of James Weller as a trainee solicitor at the firm. James has just embarked on a two year contract as a trainee solicitor, during which time he will undergo professional training as part of the process of becoming a fully-fledged and qualified solicitor.

James was educated locally before attending Oxford Brookes University where he graduated with a Law Degree in 2017. Since graduating, James has spent time travelling extensively and has also worked on a temporary basis at Thatcher + Hallam where he fulfilled a number of administrative and other roles. Last month James successfully passed all of his Legal Practice Course exams (with merit) and in addition was awarded a Masters of Law (LLM).

'My new role at the firm is obviously extremely different,' says James. 'The next two years working as a trainee solicitor is very much the next stage of my career. I know that it is going to be extremely hard work. Not only will I be learning all of the necessary legal skills but equally important the management and people skills that are necessary in order to become a good solicitor. I am very excited about what lies ahead as well as being very grateful to be given the opportunity to further my own career.'

James will already be familiar to many clients of the firm. As well as already having had several spells working at the firm James has also been very much part of the community, where he became a familiar figure playing for local football teams as well as raising money for charity by running the Bath Half.

One of the solicitors who will be supervising James during the next two years is partner George Persson.

'As a firm we have always been keen to support our staff in gaining fresh qualifications and awards,' says George. 'However, the appointment of James is the first trainee solicitor appointment for many years. Perhaps at this particular time during a pandemic, it is even more important that as a firm we invest in youth and the future. James has settled in extremely well and my partners and myself wish James the very best on what will be a challenging and tough two year professional training contract before he is finally admitted as a solicitor in a couple of years' time.'

Current and future job opportunities at Thatcher + Hallam LLP appear on the firm's website HERE : the T+ H site