Learning and Development

At Napthens, our approach to learning is as individual as you are. Being intentional in what and how you learn, is a key part of our learning culture.

Whether you are an apprentice just starting out in your career or an experienced partner, we support you throughout your career.

Skills Curriculum

Our vision for learning is to help you thrive in your role. We have a comprehensive skills curriculum that enables you develop knowledge and skills in four key areas:

• Business
• Financial
• Personal and professional
• Technical

We offer more than ten different workshops covering topics like networking, sales, managing your work, management, leadership, building resilience and developing your authentic confidence. No matter which role you have or department you work in, there will be something for you.

Skills curriculum workshops are held in our Blackburn, Preston and Liverpool offices throughout the year, so you can choose a date and time that works for you and your schedule. Working together with colleagues from across the business supports and builds our learning culture.

“An engaging, provoking and helpful training session with the amazing Simon Price – Work Smarter, Not Harder. I would recommend everyone to attend this – it serves as an opportunity to challenge your habits, identify what may be inefficient (backed up by research) and identify how you can alter those habits to one which is more productive.”
Oli McCann – Partner, AfterAthena

Mentoring

Our mentoring programme is available as soon as you join Napthens. We believe mentoring is a great way to help you settle in, meet new people, learn more about Napthens and develop your career with us.

If you have never taken part in mentoring, don’t worry, as we have a comprehensive induction and matching service, so you know exactly what to expect from your first mentoring session and the programme.

“I’d recommend anyone, and everyone signs up to this. I have got a lot of value and satisfaction out of being both a mentee and a mentor and, even if you don’t think you have a lot to give as a mentor, it will surprise you how much help and support you can actually be just from sharing your experiences.”
Chris King – Senior Associate Solicitor, AfterAthena

Coaching

Coaching can be a great way to unlock your potential and understand more about your leadership and management approach and we are able to offer one-to-one coaching delivered by our head of learning and development, Simon Price.

Leadership Academy

This year-long programme is aimed at enabling our senior associates and legal directors to develop their leadership and management skills alongside financial, business, risk and strategy skills. Candidates also receive one-to-one coaching as part of the programme.

Flourish Programme

Flourish is a compulsory year-long programme for all our trainee solicitors and solicitor apprentices enabling them to transition from university, school or college into the world of work, build their network and develop the knowledge, skills, behaviours and confidence to succeed in their roles.

Launchpad  

If you join us as a solicitor in your first three years following qualification, you will be invited to join Launchpad which is a programme aimed at supporting our people in the first few years post-qualification.

People learn the importance of career planning, how to build your professional practice and build your own practice.

Launchpad is also supported by ‘after qualification’, our peer-network run by solicitors Ashleigh Green and Katie Egan, who run regular talks and workshops to support your career.

Departmental Academies

Each department has their own ‘learning academy’ focused on supporting technical development. In each department there is a learning champion who is responsible for organising and coordinating technical training in the department and works with our learning and development team to develop annual learning plans.