Recruitment
(A) QUALIFIED LAWYERS
As leading specialists in shipping and international trade law, we recognise that our people are our primary asset and that careful selection, recruitment and training are of paramount importance to the firm’s future success.
Background of our existing team
We welcome diversity. Our existing team have brought a wide range of backgrounds, knowledge and skills to the firm, joining us from a number of different London shipping firms and from non-shipping firms in the North East and further afield.
Work quality
We engage in high quality work for a range of clients internationally, nationally and locally. We are recommended by Chambers and Legal 500, and are regularly instructed by most P&I Clubs on behalf of their members, as well as directly by shipowners, charterers, and traders.
Why Newcastle?
We are located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, an attractive and vibrant city on the doorstep of some of the most beautiful countryside and coastlines in the UK. Our spacious newly refurbished offices are in a listed Edwardian building erected by a leading Newcastle shipowner in 1905.
The quality and diversity of our work and opportunities for foreign travel are as rewarding as those in London firms. Working in Newcastle, however, offers greater quality of life, bringing the advantages of a city but on a smaller more accessible scale. With our lower operating costs, and in turn charge out rates, we can offer something different with an ethos where quality of work ranks ahead of financial targets.
Current recruitment
Whilst we are always interested in hearing from well-qualified lawyers at all levels of experience, our recent recruits have fallen into two principal categories. Firstly, partners and senior assistants with shipping experience who choose Mills & Co over their existing firms. Secondly, recently qualified lawyers who learn of the opportunities in shipping law after qualifying in other areas (usually, but not exclusively, commercial or insurance litigation, finance, or personal injury). Former mariners who have re-qualified as lawyers are always of interest, as are those who speak additional languages.
Salary levels and partnership prospects
Our salary levels for qualified lawyers are comparable with the leading Newcastle commercial firms, and opportunities for partnership are unrestricted.
How to apply
Seven out of eight of our partners applied to the firm direct, and we would encourage all applicants for a post as a qualified lawyer to do so. To apply in confidence, please send your CV and covering letter to
recruitment@mills-co.com, or call the recruitment partner, Guy Mills, or any other existing contact you have in Mills & Co, to discuss matters direct.
(B) TRAINEE SOLICITORS
Since January 2008, we have been training trainee solicitors with a view to them developing into first rate shipping and international trade lawyers, the future of the firm.
Training
As a trainee you will sit and work with three or four different partners, gaining experience in a number of different areas of law: shipping litigation, international trade, commercial contracts, sale of goods and ship finance. The majority of your training will be on the job, being closely supervised in tasks and matters, grasping those and moving on to further more complex work, building your knowledge and skills base.
Reward
Our starting salary is £20,000 with a review after one year. We also provide private health care and twenty-five days’ holiday. For current or future LPC students we meet the cost of their LPC fees and pay a maintenance allowance of £3,000 whilst undertaking the LPC.
What we look for
The job is challenging and stimulating, both intellectually and personally. We are looking to recruit academically bright, commercially aware individuals who are willing to push themselves to achieve their potential. In view of the demands of the job we require a 2:1 degree or above (not necessarily in law) and normally expect a minimum of two As and one B at A level.
We are committed to providing the best training possible with the aim that our trainees will stay with us upon qualification and ultimately become partners in the firm. In return we are seeking a genuine interest in shipping law and a clear commitment to remaining in the North East.
How to apply
We are not actively recruiting at present. However, we are always interested in hearing from potential future recruits who meet our criteria. To make an informal enquiry, please send your cv with covering letter to trainees@mills-co.com.
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