The fate of Cobbetts’ trainees is still unknown as no word emerges from either Cobbetts or pre-pack deal rescuer DWF on whether training contracts and training contract offers will be honoured.
DWF has declined to comment on whether it will be keeping on Cobbetts trainees or trainees-to-be.
As recently as the last week of January, Cobbetts was hosting afternoon tea and breakfast graduate recruitment drop-ins in Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester.
Attendees were encouraged to find out more about application processes and have one-to-one sessions about embarking on a legal career.
One attendee said: “It was a chance to meet the recruiter and was for both the VS [vacation scheme] and the TC [training contract]. Advice on application, interview and what the TC entailed.
“I sent my application a couple of days ago, and they were still accepting them for the vac scheme. There appeared to be no upset then.”
Fellow Manchester firm DWF is poised to snap up Cobbetts (31 January 2013). Managing partner Andrew Leaitherland said last week: “DWF’s plans to grow in a strategic, targeted way have been clearly set out and this move supports that goal.
“I’m confident that the merging of the two firms would bring genuine benefits to both and, importantly, the joint client base. There are many synergies between the two firms in terms of the sectors in which we operate and this collaboration will further strengthen our existing business.”
Cobbetts’ legal practice course provider, the College of Law (CoL), spoke of the firm’s supportive attitude towards its trainees last week (30 January 2012).
Reacting to the news last week, Sarah Hutchinson, board member for business development at the CoL: “This is very early days but it appears to us that Cobbetts has clearly thought this through with regard to their trainees. Trainees have been considered very seriously and the firm has addressed their minds to the situation - we’re encouraged by that. Over the years we’ve seen that Cobbetts has very decent partners and although it’s early days we’re sure they’ll continue to treat their trainees with every consideration.”
Readers' comments (8)
Jim | 5-Feb-2013 8:38 pm
If they are purchasing at a distressed knock down price absent of debt then the least they can do is honour the training contracts.
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 7:26 am
Why? Every law firm makes an assessment of the needs of their firm when deciding on how many trainees to take on. If it doesn't make financial sense to take on these extra staff then you're asking all the other DWF staff to subsidise their positions. Why should future trainees be treated better than hard working NQs?
It should be noted that John Marshall of Bond Dickinson announced on 10th January 2013 (see Lawyer 2b) that he envisages in the new firm, the number of training contracts "will increase".
As far as I'm aware no additional training contracts have been announced by Dickinson Dees-Bond Pearce since 10 January. This would be the perfect time for Bond Dickinson to announce they'll take on the Cobbetts intake for 2013 and 2014, thereby dispelling any perception that the announcement in the Lawyer 2b was mere sales fluff that used the hopes of trainees to generate publicity. Over to you Bond Dickinson. Be the hero today.
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 9:10 am
If they are acquiring all or substantially all of the business surely the trainees transfer under TUPE.
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 9:17 am
At the College of Law Cobbetts trainees were always seen as 'the pick of the bunch' by other students and tutors, DWF would be a fool not to snap them up! Good luck!
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 9:34 am
I wouldn't expect so.
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 9:38 am
At The College of Law Cobbetts' trainees were always considered the 'pick of the bunch' by both students and tutors alike, DWF would be a fool not to snap them up! Good luck!
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 10:28 am
I am not really sure what the purpose of this story is. In effect it reads to me as the deal has not yet been done and hence neither side can comment.
It is quite interesting to note that the College of Law think that “Cobbetts has clearly thought this through with regard to their trainees." I think that is debatable given the rumoured 28 trainees they were due to take on in September, for a firm that was struggling to turnover £40 million.
Compare that to DWF's approach, reported to be around 24 trainees in September, for a firm with a turnover of over £100 million.
I am not sure if DWF can ultimately be blamed if they don't choose to double their trainee intake. I doubt that any deal is going to double the firm's turnover/profits.
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Anonymous | 6-Feb-2013 3:16 pm
If DWF take on fee generative teams, those teams have a need for trainee support, and those trainees will pay for themselves. I'd be very surprised if DWF don't proceed on this basis. It would be a PR howler aside from anything else.
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