Thorntons’ chair, Colin Graham, said: “Supporting our people and culture remains a core pillar in our five-year strategy and fostering an environment for learning and development is key to that.

“At Thorntons, we know that our trainee solicitors are integral to our future success and growth aspirations as a firm so it is encouraging that we welcome 13 graduate intakes. We hope their experience with Thorntons will help shape a very bright future and legal career.”

The trainees who joined Thorntons this month are: Catriona Kemp, Eilidh Withers, Rosie Grant, Robyn Canning, Mhairi McAulay, Rebecca Morton, Katrina Reid-McConnell, Ethan Llewellyn, Liam Martin, Lewis Quinn, Joanna Thomson, Ben Ager and Tsepiso Forrest.

Ms Forrest, who has a background in telecommunications, came to Scotland in 2016 to pursue a legal career.

She said: “As a career changer and a mature entrant to the profession, I believe the transferable skills I have will enable me to hit the ground running. I chose Thorntons as my preferred firm because it is a full service law firm.

“I was highly impressed by the calibre of solicitors and partners who are experts in their respective areas of specialism and the ambitious strategic plans for expansion and growth. I am looking forward to training under industry experts and I believe that I will have a strong foundation on which to build a successful career in the legal profession.”