Napthens LLP
Overview
Napthens LLP is an award-winning independent regional law firm headquartered in Preston, operating across the North West from a network of city and regional offices. The firm combines broad full-service capability — corporate, commercial, property, litigation, employment, intellectual property, rural and private client work — with a strong local presence in Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside. Napthens emphasises collaboration, client-facing training and community engagement (Opening Doors, Napthens Foundation) and positions itself as a growth-focused north-west firm delivering national and international work in selected areas such as IP and corporate.
- Headquarters: Preston, 7 Winckley Square
- Lawyers: 300+ (headcount)
- Partners: 31
- Trainees: 18
- Offices: 7
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Corporate & M&A
- Commercial Contracts
- Real Estate
- Agriculture & Rural
- Employment
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Intellectual Property
- Private Client & Wealth
- Family Law
- Insolvency & Restructuring
- Regulatory & Compliance
- Banking & Finance
- Professional Negligence
- Insurance & Reinsurance
- ESG & Sustainability
- Technology & Digital
- Retail & Consumer
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
Geographic Focus: The firm’s core market is the North West of England (Lancashire, Cumbria, Merseyside and Greater Manchester) with seven regional offices. Napthens acts for local and regional businesses, owner-managed and family companies, sector specialists (rural, leisure, retail, manufacturing, technology) and private clients across the UK and supports national and international work in specialist areas such as intellectual property.
Training Contract
Two-year recognised training contract with six-month seats (placements covering six months) typically across different teams. Seats are usually based at Preston, Blackburn, Liverpool, Southport or Manchester. The programme is tailored where possible to align with career objectives and offers direct client and partner access. Trainees join a cohort community called 'Flourish' and receive mentoring and peer support, departmental academies and access to the firm’s wider Skills Curriculum and Launchpad post‑qualification support.
- Trainee Intake: 18 (current trainee headcount supported across the firm)
- Academic Requirements: The firm accepts applicants having completed the LPC or SQE routes. Napthens supports entrants from three qualification pathways: law degree + LPC/SQE, non‑law degree + SQE, and solicitor apprenticeship.
- Application Deadline: 1 september 2026
Seat Options
- Corporate & M&A
- Employment
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Real Estate
- Residential Conveyancing
- Private Client & Wealth
- Family Law
- Commercial Contracts
Sponsorship
The firm runs apprenticeship programmes (a solicitor apprenticeship with UCLAN and a paralegal apprenticeship route with CILEX) and supports apprentices through workplace study and mentoring.
SQE Support
Funding is not currently available to complete the SQE qualification, whilst working with us.
Mentorship
Napthens operates a formal mentoring programme available from day one, with an induction and matching service. Trainees are supported by the Flourish community and by departmental learning champions; one‑to‑one coaching is also available through the learning and development function.
Programmes & Schemes
A five‑year solicitor apprenticeship (with a reduced study period for progression from another legal apprenticeship) that delivers the content of a law degree and an LLM while the apprentice works full time. Apprentices study with UCLAN and prepare for SQE examinations on completion; the programme exposes apprentices to partners and clients and offers practical on‑the‑job training.
- Duration: 5–6 years (depending on prior qualifications)
CILEX‑based paralegal apprenticeship route providing practical skills and development for legal assistants and paralegals within the firm, supported by experienced colleagues and used to develop non‑university pathways into legal careers.
Opening Doors is Napthens’ social mobility initiative delivering school, college and university outreach, careers days, seminars and Q&A sessions to broaden access to legal careers. The firm runs Opening Doors days and partners with local education providers to promote pathways into law and recruit under‑represented talent.
Notable Matters
Advised on High Court commercial contract disputes including termination of supply agreements and injunctive relief involving multi‑million‑pound trading arrangements and bespoke litigation strategies in the High Court and appellate proceedings.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Advised on High Court shareholder and unfair prejudice claims involving company interest valuations in the multi‑millions, expert valuation issues and complex litigation strategy.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Acted for a world‑renowned motorsport business on intellectual property matters, managing worldwide trade mark portfolios and advising on multi‑jurisdictional infringement and enforcement issues.
Intellectual Property
Acted for retailers and consumer product businesses on trade mark and design infringement, invalidity and IPEC matters, including overturning default judgments and securing settlements and clearances.
Intellectual Property
Advised on a professional negligence claim resulting from a defective administrator appointment, leading to a six‑figure settlement after losses including a write‑off of substantial WIP.
Professional Negligence
What Napthens LLP Looks For
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness
- Client‑facing communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Resilience and practical problem solving
- Commitment to public and community engagement
- Ambition and willingness to learn
Evidence Signals
- Relevant legal experience (paralegal, mini‑pupillage, dispute support)
- Relevant non‑legal experience showing communication, problem solving and leadership
- Apprenticeship or CILEX route experience
- Demonstrable involvement in community or widening participation initiatives (Opening Doors)
- Sector knowledge for rural, property, retail or technology clients
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Pension scheme
- Holiday buy and sell
- Life insurance
- Cycle to work scheme
- Eye care vouchers
- BHSF health cash plan arrangements
- Electric car salary sacrifice scheme
- Recruitment recommendation and referral rewards
- Cross-referral and business introduction rewards
- MyNapthens hub (wellbeing centre and resources)
- Access to departmental academies, coaching and Launchpad
- Skills Curriculum workshops (networking, leadership, resilience, sales)
Wellbeing
MyNapthens hub provides colleagues with access to wellbeing resources covering staying active, healthy eating, financial wellbeing and mental health. The people team offers support and the firm runs wellbeing events and internal coaching; departmental and firm‑wide events promote health and awareness.
Awards & Recognition
- Client Care Award (100+ employees), Clio Modern Law Awards 2026
- Conveyancing Team of the Year, Clio Modern Law Awards 2026
- Lancashire Team of the Year, North West Rainmaker Awards 2025
- Most Active Legal Adviser in the North West, Experian Market IQ 2025
- Highly commended Conveyancing Firm of the Year – North of England, LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2025
- Multiple Legal 500 Tier 1 rankings (including Agriculture & Estates, Commercial Litigation and Commercial Property) and recent Top Tier Legal 500 recognitions (2027 announcements noted on site)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Napthens has published an ESG report and a social mobility plan (Opening Doors, launched August 2024). The firm maintains an equality and diversity policy, an EDI committee and provides published Equality & Diversity data and a Gender Pay Gap report (linked from the site).
- Opening Doors (social mobility programme)
- EDI (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) committee and EDI calendar
- Apprenticeship programmes (UCLAN solicitor apprenticeship, CILEX paralegal apprenticeship)
- Partnerships and outreach with schools, colleges and universities
- The Napthens Foundation community activity
- ESG reporting and internal sustainability pledges
- Partnership with NSPCC (noted in ESG/social programmes)
Pro Bono
The firm supports community and charitable work through the Napthens Foundation, local charity partnerships and fundraising (Bronze patron of Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Patron of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone).
Innovation
Napthens states it 'embrace[s] the latest technology' to improve efficiency and client service and operates group businesses that combine legal advisory with tech-enabled HR and people services (AfterAthena). The firm uses digital tools in conveyancing and client engagement and integrates technology into training and departmental academies; trainees gain exposure to these systems through seat work and departmental programmes.
- MyNapthens hub (internal people & wellbeing platform)
- Use of client apps and digital conveyancing tools (client testimonial referencing an app)
- AfterAthena (group service blending employment lawyers, HR consultancy and technology)
- Departmental learning champions and Skills Curriculum workshops
Quick Application Angles
- Emphasise collaboration and client access: reference Napthens’ value 'We collaborate' and give examples of how your client‑facing experience will let you make immediate contributions.
- If applying to property or conveyancing seats, mention the firm’s recent conveyancing awards (Clio Modern Law Awards 2026) and any practical conveyancing experience or use of digital conveyancing tools.
- If applying via apprenticeship or CILEX routes, highlight vocational experience and resilience – Napthens runs solicitor apprenticeships with UCLAN and CILEX paralegal programmes and values practical on‑the‑job learning.
- Demonstrate regional sector knowledge (rural/agriculture, leisure, retail or manufacturing) and explain how local understanding will help you advise Napthens’ client base in the North West.
- Reference the Flourish trainee community and the firm’s mentoring/learning culture: show how you’ll use mentoring and departmental training to progress and contribute to the firm.
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