News - New awards at TARAs

The ninth annual LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards (the TARAs) ceremony was attended by 240 guests. The awards, which recognise the best recruiters and trainers among law firms, were based on a survey of over 2,300 trainee and newly-qualified solicitors. This year saw the introduction of two new awards, the Best Training Principal award and the Law Lecturer of the Year award.

LawCareers.Net publisher Matthew Broadbent said: "Once again we are delighted to celebrate the achievements of the many employers who give their recruits the opportunity and support to excel. This year we have added awards for other key stakeholders in the process. Training principals are, formally, the leaders of the whole training experience so we have identified those who have provided genuine inspiration and leadership. We've also turned to law lecturers who supply not only the basic knowledge required, but also the spark that ignites a genuine love for the law that in turn fires a career in the profession."

The Commendation for Diversity, in association with the BLD Foundation and Pathways to Law, was presented to global law firm Baker & McKenzie by Debo Nwauzu, chair of the BLD Foundation. She said: "The Diversity Award applicants have demonstrated through their policies and practices that diversity is a serious and necessary part of their companies, and are setting excellent examples for others to aspire to.” Baker & McKenzie also won the best trainer category for large City firms.

Other winners were: Wrigleys Solicitors, best recruiter - small firm; Alan Edwards & Co, best trainer – small firm; Nockolds, best recruiter – medium regional firm; Thomson Snell & Passmore, best trainer – medium regional firm; RPC, best recruiter – medium City firm; Farrer & Co, best trainer – medium City firm; Skadden Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, best recruiter – US firm in City; Kirkland & Ellis, best trainer – US firm in the City; Burges Salmon, best recruiter – national/large regional firm; Pannone, best trainer – national/large regional firm; SJ Berwin, best recruiter – large City firm; Ince & Co, best work placement scheme – City firm; Osborne Clarke, best work placement scheme – regional firm; Richard Webb, of Corbbetts, best training principal (large trainee intake); and Tabitha Cave, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, best training principal (small trainee intake).