Colin Graham

Three of the new recruits started their traineeship in September but, this month, 10 others have joined them. All 13 will undertake a two-year traineeship across the firm’s network of offices and will develop their skills and knowledge working across a variety of legal disciplines.

All trainees will adopt a blended work approach, initially based remotely at home, before moving into the Thorntons offices in Edinburgh, Dundee, Glasgow, Perth, Cupar and St Andrews once current restrictions allow.

The trainees include Maryam Abdel-Razik, Emma Alderson, Rebecca Argo, Laoibhse Griffin, Eve McBride, Anzal Baig, Baktosch Gillan, Iain Buchan, Rory Mellis, Sophie Kirk, Kiran Bahia, Lucy Henderson and Matthew McAnaw.

Colin Graham, chair of Thorntons, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome a further 10 trainees from our 2020 intake as we know that our trainees are the key to the future success of our business.

“Circumstances are different for our new trainees as they start from a remote working environment but we have established protocols to ensure their learning and development is not restricted. We wish our new colleagues the very best of luck with this exciting stage of their legal career.”

New trainee Kiran Bahia added: “I was a paralegal in the firm in the personal injury team for over five years before starting my traineeship, so I already knew the firm and its culture and believed I associated with its values of doing what’s right for their colleagues, their clients and the community.

“I admire these commitments and the friendly atmosphere that you encounter when you are chatting to people in the firm. Starting as a paralegal has provided a great foundation ahead of my traineeship. I started my traineeship a little earlier, back in September, and I am currently finishing my first seat in the corporate team in Dundee and moving on to my second seat in commercial property in Edinburgh, albeit virtually for the foreseeable future.

“Being a virtual trainee can be challenging but I have embraced it and I am grateful to my colleagues for being so kind and approachable. I look forward gaining further knowledge of the firm and the journey that lies ahead.”