Weightmans and Mace & Jones merger ‘could affect delegation of legal jobs’

The merger between Weightmans and Mace & Jones could lead to the new-look firm adopting an updated approach to hiring professionals into legal jobs.

Both practices operate different recruitment structures, the Lawyer reports, which could pose a headache for those in charge of taking on new lawyers.

Mace & Jones, which is based in Liverpool, Manchester and Knutsford, has implemented a scheme whereby it hires paralegals rather than trainees.

However, Weightmans takes on 16 graduates each year and partner Andrew Cox told the publication that the new-look practice would most likely incorporate parts of both systems.

“There’s still an important role for a good-quality training programme at the firm, so we’re likely to end up with more than one entry point for trainees,” he remarked.

Following the merger, Mace & Jones representative Richard Corran stated that he was “thrilled” with the arrangement and suggested the deal would help the firm become a leading player nationally.

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