A NEWLY qualified law graduate with a taste for diversity has started a two-year training contract with one of the largest law firms in North Wales.
Justin Whelan, 38, has joined Gwilym Hughes & Partners (GH&P) at its Wrexham head office.
Before deciding to go into law, Justin worked as an English language teacher in Greece, Denmark and Japan after gaining a degree in History at Lampeter University, Dyfed, and going on to do a Postgraduate Diploma in European Studies at the University of Lancaster.
He has since travelled extensively in America and in Israel, worked as a recruitment consultant for teachers and as a property developer in France.
Now living in Chester with his wife and two young sons, Justin graduated from the Chester College of Law this summer with a distinction in the Legal Practice Certificate.
A keen walker, he enjoys reading history and watching and playing football.
Speaking about his new contract, Justin said: “I was attracted to working for GH&P because it is one of the largest firms in North Wales and it has a broad and diverse client base and work content.
“I was keen to remain in this region and eager to join an expanding and progressive firm.
“On my first visit I was made to feel completely comfortable, as I’m sure do the firm’s clients.”
GH&P is a long-standing supporter of the solicitor training programme.
Training partner Robert Williams said: “The fees for the Legal Practice Course which must be undertaken prior to applying for a training contract are now nearing £9,000.
“This is a big financial risk for trainees who at that stage don’t even know whether they will get a job at the end of it. We are sympathetic to that and we find the trainees we offer contracts to are generally loyal to us in return.”
