Helping aspiring lawyers to achieve the first step on their legal career is a big priority for us as a law firm, and I was delighted our commitment was recognised at a recent awards ceremony.

The LawCareers.Net (LCN) training and recruitment awards have been running for 16 years and highlight the hard work of law firms in providing trainees with the best possible support as they begin their career in law.

More than 60 law firms from across the country attended the ceremony at Grace Hall in London to see 17 winners presented with awards on the night, including Lanyon Bowdler.

We won the Best Recruiter, Small Firm, award for our work in recruiting trainee solicitors - it came on the back of the firm winning the Best Trainer, Small Firm, category in the previous two years running.

A comment from one of Lanyon Bowdler’s trainees was read out before the presentation of the award: “The process was incredibly fair and thorough. The partners interviewing were extremely welcoming and enthusiastic.

“The process could not be faulted and it gave a very good impression of the firm.”

Once again the standard of competition for these awards was exceptional and we are delighted to have been highlighted for our commitment to recruiting trainee solicitors and turning them into excellent lawyers, who usually stay with the firm after qualification.

These are extremely important awards because they focus on how law firms up and down the country approach their training programmes and the structures they put in place to ensure those launching their law careers are helped and supported in the best possible way.