Ashurst looking to rescue at least three KWM trainees
Ashurst has confirmed that it will “almost definitely” take some of King & Wood Mallesons’ (KWM) trainees on.
So far a number of firms have indicated that they would be interested in talking to trainees from the collapsing KWM, but so far only Goodwin Proctor has confirmed that it will definitely take five, after Lawyer 2B reported the news last week.
However, an Ashurst spokesperson confirmed that the firm is having “soft conversations” with a number of trainees and fully expected to take at least three on for the remainder of their training contracts. The final sign-off is expected to happen by the end of next week.
Other firms rumoured to be taking trainees include DLA Piper, Allen & Overy and Linklaters.
However, Lawyer 2B understands that around 15 current KWM trainees, mostly first-years, are still looking for positions.
The Lawyer Jobs site currently lists over 800 NQ jobs, and over 1,300 London-based roles for 1-3 PQEs.
KWM: the situation as it stands
- KWM stopped paying wages to staff last week.
- The firm will formally cancel all its training contracts tomorrow. This is a necessary step so that trainees can transfer to other firms.
- Other firms have stepped in to offer assistance to KWM trainees. However, so far only one firm has officially confirmed it is taking some.
- A leading insolvency practitioner has said KWM’s financial situation in Europe has been “more mismanaged than BHS” after even its administrators walked away over concerns they would not be paid.
