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An exceptional service can only be provided by exceptional people.

That’s why it is fundamental to us that we recruit, recognise and reward the very best in talent.

We are one of the largest independent full service law firms in the North. So working with us means you will be representing clients of all types, shapes and sizes on a regional, national and international basis.

Quality legal advice is a given. But in today’s complex, interconnected and fast-paced world, it takes a collaborative business and a great team to be successful. Finding new ways of meeting our clients’ challenges, together with the continual drive to excel in the service we provide, is the product of significant ongoing investment in our people. We are constantly developing our teams to keep us at the top of our game.

Ward Hadaway takes its responsibilities as a firm very seriously. We are committed to equality. To the environment. To the communities in which we live and work. We not only address these issues collectively as a firm, but as a group of individuals too.

It is who we are that builds loyalty and passion amongst our people.  So if you want to find out more about us and what it is like working at Ward Hadaway, read on, and then get in touch.

Want to join us?

Rachel Hunter - Ward Hadaway

Current vacancies

If you are interested in joining our team, view our current vacancies here. We are also happy to receive speculative enquiries, so contact us today.

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Partners

We are a firm looking to grow. And we are looking for ambitious people to help us achieve that goal. We provide partners with the freedom, alongside the infrastructure, investment and resources, to build their practice in their own way based on their skills, clients and experience.

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Ella Dodgson -Ward Hadaway

Legal professionals

Looking to take your career to the next level? We are always on the look out for talented people keen to join a team whose ambitions match their own. As a full service firm, we offer a host of opportunities.

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Alistair Mcdonald

Business services

We have an exceptional businesses services team supporting the growing needs of the firm. From finance and HR to marketing and business development, from IT and facilities to compliance, information security and lawyer support, our teams are always seeking fresh talent to ensure we stay ahead of the curve.

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Trainees & apprentices

Looking for a fulfilling career in law? Learn more about working at Ward Hadaway, our application process and training contracts. You can also hear first hand from our apprentices, trainees and newly qualifieds.

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Committed to being a responsible business

Ward Hadaway takes its responsibilities as a firm very seriously. It is our corporate, personal and moral obligation to operate a business we can be proud of – and we really are.

Our Responsible Business Manifesto and annual report for 2021 – 2022 details what we as a firm are committed to, and the importance which we place on being a responsible business. This approach has been in our DNA throughout the firm’s existence and although over time priorities change, the essence of being a good citizen has been constant. You can view our manifesto here.

What this means for you

First of all, you will be working within an organisation you can be proud of too. An organisation that isn’t ticking boxes, but that has a clear moral compass and awareness of its social responsibility. That is investing in change, development and sustainability. That has in place clear governance to enshrine all this.

And you will be encouraged to be an active participant. You can get involved in the various groups, committees and teams which lead and operate as part of this approach.

You can rest assured that whatever your background, gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability – or football club affiliation! – you will be welcomed and treated exactly the same throughout the firm.

You will be part of a team of people who are clear in their goals to reduce carbon emissions, and benefit from initiatives such as funding bikes to work and electric charging points.

You can make your voice heard directly with the Senior Partner who leads this policy, and who is always considering new ideas and approaches.

You will be supported with guidance and flexibility if you choose to become a trustee or governor of a charity or educational establishments.

You will be given paid time off to take part in community and charitable work.

And always let us know if there is something that is close to your heart – our priorities are strongly influenced by our people, and we always listen.

To find out more about our values and beliefs, click here, or to read about some of our recent ‘giving back’ initiatives, click here.

We continuously review and develop our approach.  We listen to those operating in this sector, as well as to our own people about what is close to their hearts. We observe the changing approaches of our peers, and attempt to measure our impact so that we can learn and improve. We are very alive to the concept of delivering social value, rather than simply giving cash donations, and are extremely active in our engagement with those organisations and people that we support. We also celebrate successes and try to have fun along the way.

Which means as a part of Ward Hadaway, you can be proud, active and engaged in our responsible business practices, and be further committed to the firm as a positive, welcoming and vibrant place to grow your career.

Proud of the place where we live and work

We're one firm structured around three offices working together.

These are based in three dynamic northern cities – Leeds, Manchester and Newcastle. They each have a vibrant legal market which caters not just for those based within the thriving northern powerhouse, but also for national and international organisations.

The appeal of sizeable regional law firms like Ward Hadaway – City quality with regional costs – is becoming more accessible across England, Wales and overseas. Flexibility on where you work and how you perform your job is important to us. Although you will be assigned to one of our local office bases, the benefits of remote working and the technology we embrace mean it’s less about where you work and more about how well you’re doing the job.

But you won’t just work in the region, you are likely to be living here too. And the reasons to live in the North are too many and varied to do them justice. The dynamic cities and the dramatic, open countryside. The space on the beaches and the people enjoying the nightlife. The easy access to international airports and adventures closer to home. The quicker commute and the wider views. The lower cost of living and the richness of our culture, heritage and sporting life.

And the North is a place on the up, as many organisations are recognising these benefits and also trying to contribute to the rebalancing of the UK, with recent major arrivals in the region including Channel Four and the Treasury.

A montage of various scenic locations
Armed Forces Covenant

We have recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant which commits the firm to honour and support the Armed Forces Community. As part of the Covenant we recognise the value of and offer support to serving personnel regular and reservists, veterans and military families and their contribution towards our business and our country.

Advice for recruitment agencies

Intro

We are committed to attracting and engaging the best possible talent for our growing business.

Whilst we prefer to source and engage with candidates directly, we recognise and value the select number of preferred agencies we work with when looking at hard to find, niche skilled candidates.

As a preferred agency provider to us, we expect you to adhere to our agency recruitment code set out in the following three sections.

Instruction to work on a Ward Hadaway vacancy

Agencies can only be instructed to work on a vacancy, when contacted directly by a member from the People Team. Where the full vacancy details will be given and agreed terms confirmed.

If you are contacted / instructed by anyone outside of the People Team, please notify people@wardhadaway.com immediately, alternatively by calling 0330 137 3000. An instruction made from outside of this team is not necessarily deemed as a valid instruction.

Submitting CVs on an agreed vacancy

Whilst we are in the process of reviewing our current ATS,, agencies must email their qualifying candidates’ CVs directly to the member of the People Team who instructed them to work on the vacancy and upload the candidates details to our current recruitment portal.

Agencies should only submit CVs for candidates who have seen the full vacancy details and agree for their details to be put forward and represented by you and your agency only.

Agencies should interview candidates before submitting their CV, ideally face to face or by telephone if this is not possible.

As part of providing a quality service, agencies should ensure that candidates meet the requirements outlined in the job specification and the relevant Right to Work Checks have been completed for every candidate prior to submitting their CV.

CVs will not be accepted from agencies for vacancies which explicitly state ‘no agencies’ in the advertisement or when they have not been instructed by a member of the People Team.

Speculative CVs / agencies

If you’re not one of our preferred agencies, please do not send speculative CVs or make sales calls without the permission of our People Team, any introductions made outside of this team will not be deemed as a valid introduction and we are in our right not to be bound by your terms and conditions.

If you are an agency we are not currently partnering with, but believe you can help us in our search for the best possible talent, please email careers@wardhadaway.com to introduce yourselves and tell us why you believe you would be a good partner to us.

Supporting the communities in which we live and work

  • We have had such a positive experience with the Ward Hadaway team. We are so grateful to the support they’ve shown us and their commitment to Access to Justice Foundation.

    Laura Cassidy, Development and Fundraising Manager, Access for Justice Foundation

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  • The fantastic efforts of our supporters at Ward Hadaway have provided a vital lifeline to the many pupils at Mshangano Secondary School and their families, helping them find their way on a path towards a brighter future.

    Lucy Kendall, COCO

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  • I really enjoy working with the firm’s CSR team to talk about how the fund’s revenue can be put to good use. It’s clear that there is a real commitment at Ward Hadaway to supporting their local communities and thinking strategically about how to do so. The input from staff across the firm is invaluable.

    Jon Goodwin, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, Community Foundation For Tyne and Wear and Northumberland

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  • We are delighted to work with such a wonderful company who have worked in partnership with us at the Greggs Foundation, supporting local Breakfast Clubs.

    Thanks to the kindness and generosity of the team, the money raised helps ensure more breakfasts can be given free to support more children in need, some of whom may otherwise go without. Thank you so much – you are all superstars!

    Lynne Hindmarch, Greggs Foundation Breakfast Club Manager

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  • The support provided by Ward Hadaway is invaluable. Their contributions have helped us to deliver vital grassroots charity projects, creating better, brighter futures.

    Kate Hainsworth, CEO, Leeds Community Foundation and Give Bradford

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  • It has been a joy to work with Ward Hadaway and we hope our relationship will continue for many years to come. Most importantly, on behalf of the many children who have benefited from Ward Hadaway’s Christmas generosity, thank you!

    Gillian Firth, Northern Stage

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  • We were delighted to welcome Ward Hadaway on board as a sponsor of Elmer, and it’s great they came up with an exciting way of getting involved in this magical event for the city. We hugely appreciate the support.

    Jane Hagan, St Oswald's Hospice

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  • It was fantastic to see the team so eager to get stuck in and help improve the green space for the local community. On behalf of everyone at The Land Trust, thank you to the team at Ward Hadaway, we hope to see you back on our sites soon!

    Alan Carter, The Land Trust

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  • The Ward Hadaway team have shown a great level of support as well as being enthusiastic to get involved in an assortment of events to help make a difference to the lives of people in need on the streets of Leeds city centre.

    Karen Butler, from LeedsBID, one of the organisations behind Big Change Leeds

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  • We are thrilled that the fit out is now complete thanks to Ward Hadaway's generous grant. Everyone who has used Forest Lodge has been delighted by the experience. It was such a lovely surprise to be considered and we are very grateful for the contribution.

    Diane Hawkins, Chair, Bibby’s Farm Scout Camp Site and Activity Centre

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