Newly Qualified opportunities in Manchester
The Manchester Market
The City
An expanding commercial centre, Manchester, continues to dominate the North-West region and is seen as the major growing legal market outside of London and a leading regional city.
The recent re-generation of the City Centre has increased the ability of Manchester to offer a thriving business district alongside a lively cultural and social scene, perfect for the young professional who seeks an exciting city lifestyle.
The flow of candidates from outside the region over the last few years has increased as workload from the top firms demands the best. Subsequently more and more young legal professionals are enjoying city living and the café culture that Manchester offers those who work here.
The Firms:-
The legal sector is one of the driving professions behind Manchester’s regeneration. Work flow into the city is phenomenal and candidates no longer have to be concerned by having to choose between quality of life and quality of work – both are on offer. Top-tier international firms continue to re-allocate work to their Manchester offices, to provide cost benefits to their clients in a competitive market.
The city’s ‘top-tier’ is dominated by heavyweight firms such as DLA Piper, Eversheds, Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, Hammonds & Weightmans.
These are supplemented by a range of strong regional firms such as Berrymans Lace Mawer, Brabners Chaffe Street, Halliwells and DWF: firms with a strong regional presence but national reputation.
Pannone LLP, voted 3rd in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For Survey 2007 (the highest placed law firm in the history of the survey) and most recently voted 'Enterprising Law Firm of the Year 2007' also features in the top-tier due to a rapid & expansive business strategy.
The other key legal centres, including Preston, Stockport, Wigan & Bolton, offer NQ's alternative routes to success with broad ranges of work coupled with unrivalled client contact. Career opportunities are available throughout the region in established high street practices from Cumbria to Cheshire.
The Opportunity:-
As a newly qualified lawyer practising in the Manchester legal market you can expect to be exposed to leading deals and to be handling a high calibre caseload from day one. As we work with lawyers as they progress up through their careers we find this early autonomy provides them with a marked advantage for progression later on.
Demand Areas
The demand for top-quality lawyers is increasing as the quality of work handled in the city demands the best. High demand areas include Corporate, Commercial, Real Estate, Pensions, Banking and IP/IT. The current market indicates there will continue to be a strong flow of NQ opportunities in these areas moving into 2008.
The long established Manchester practices, continue to push their range of services into the booming mid tier commercial market, providing an increased need for newly qualified talent. This is supplemented by niche firms & traditional high street practices throughout the region.
Outside of Private Practice the North West is a preferred location for many large PLC’s and this provides a range of in-house opportunities with a range of companies. The public sector offers a range of legal opportunities within the local authorities, government bodies & educational institutions.
The Team and Contact Details
Michael Page Legal in Manchester has established itself as the premier legal recruiter in the North West. The Manchester team includes three dedicated private practice consultants who cover the North West region from the Scottish Borders down to Stoke-on-Trent. Our team boasts a dedicated newly qualified specialist, available to advise you about this important step in your legal career.
For a confidential conversation about Manchester, the region, the opportunities and living in Manchester or the wider North-West please contact Chris Ball on 0161 833 8610 or on legal.manchester@michaelpage.com
More Information
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*Michael Page International is an equal opportunities organisation. We welcome applications from all candidates with the relevant skills and experience and do not restrict the recruitment services to any particular group.
