Manchester

Please head to the conference room at 09.30. A topic is displayed on the main screen for you to discuss with the delegates at your table/the delegates sitting around you.

Harold Brako, finance litigation and disputes partner at Addleshaw Goddard, will be delivering the keynote speech.

Our panel of top law firm partners will address the key issues affecting firms in 2025. This session will help delegates understand how firms operate as businesses and the role they will play as trainees. The panel will answer questions from the audience.

This year’s panellists are:

• Harold Brako – partner, Addleshaw Goddard
• Louise Barber – partner, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
• Sam Chadwick – director, DWF Group Limited
• Sarah Teal – partner, Shoosmiths

Your opportunity to speak with the firm representatives and your fellow delegates.

Firm-led workshops give you the chance to discover the work of a practising solicitor. From practice areas to practical skills, your workshop leaders will take you through the key issues and tasks of working in a law firm.

Delegates will select one of the below workshops and will be emailed confirmation of their workshop choice ahead of the event:

• Gateley Legal – Employment law in practice: dissecting a dismissal and harassment case
• Shoosmiths – How Shoosmiths real estate shaped Manchester
• Trowers & Hamlins LLP – Property disputes
• Ward Hadaway LLP – Legal due diligence

Please note that lunch is served standing. This is your opportunity to speak to firm representatives.

Firm-led workshops give you the chance to discover the work of a practising solicitor. From practice areas to practical skills, your workshop leaders will take you through the key issues and tasks of working in a law firm.

Delegates will select one of the below workshops and will be emailed confirmation of their workshop choice ahead of the event:

• Addleshaw Goddard – Legal technology & innovation at Addleshaw Goddard
• DWF – Corporate M&A: an overview of the sale and purchase of a company
• Squire Patton Boggs – Get a frESH perspective: environmental, safety and health practice

Your final opportunity to speak with the firm representatives and your fellow delegates.

Our panel of trainee solicitors will provide insight into their experiences of the law firm application process, what being a trainee is really like and their advice for prospective candidates. A representative from The University of Law will also be on hand to answer your questions about postgraduate study and employability.

This year’s panellists are:

• Alice Spencer – trainee, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
• Alice Ferguson – trainee, Ward Hadaway
• Sam Dalton – trainee, Gateley Legal
• TBC – The University of Law