1) Can you briefly introduce WH Partners and its core values to prospective young lawyers?
WH Partners is a Malta-headquartered international business law firm with a strong focus on advising businesses that fuel the digital economy. The firm has a number of specialist teams, which to date include fintech, gaming & gambling, corporate, M&A, tax, commercial, dispute resolution, immigration, corporate finance, intellectual property, data protection, real estate, anti-trust, and employment. The firm has a presence in the UAE, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Team members at WH Partners subscribe to the firm’s core values of excellence, integrity, innovation and client-centricity. In our work we strive for the highest standards of quality and professionalism in all aspects of service delivery. We seek to ensure the best possible business outcomes for clients.
2) How would you describe the culture of the firm? What makes it unique and appealing?
At WH Partners, transparency and professionalism are the cornerstones of our culture. We promote an open culture, where communication is encouraged, ensuring that every team member feels engaged and valued.
Our commitment to transparency fosters trust and accountability, creating an environment where ideas are freely exchanged, and there is no fear of asking questions. We really do believe that we can achieve more collectively than we ever could individually. This collaborative spirit not only enhances our productivity, but also strengthens our team’s cohesion, ultimately leading to greater success for our clients and the firm as a whole.
3) How does the firm support continuous learning and professional development for its associates?
At WH Partners we don’t think about offering people just “jobs”. We’re interested in offering people a career, so we offer all our staff, both lawyers and other professionals, a clear path to progression.
Maintaining transparency with regular communication and managing expectations are crucial in keeping our team members engaged and motivated.
We encourage associates to participate in industry fora and panel discussions as speakers, as they progress in their career. This helps build added confidence in their areas of expertise and develop their individual professional profile.
4) Can you explain the rotation structure that trainees at WH Partners benefit from?
Every year, we receive several applications from university students in their third year of studies and onwards seeking a traineeship in law. Our trainee programme is carefully curated to ensure that trainees are given the maximum exposure possible to each of the firm’s practice areas. The firm has four main practice areas. Each trainee is assigned a six-month period within each practice area. Trainees are given engaging tasks which enable them to understand the work involved so that they gain real and tangible experience. It is not the first time that after completing all traineeship rotations, a trainee chooses to qualify into a practice area that is different to that which would have been their first choice before completing all rotations.
I should also mention that over the years our traineeship programme has helped many aspiring lawyers feel better prepared to sit for the warrant exam in Malta.
5) What kind of mentorship programs or support systems are in place for new trainees?
When a trainee joins WH Partners, they are integrated into a specific department as part of our comprehensive rotation programme. Joining WH Partners as a trainee means stepping into a supportive and structured mentorship program. During each placement, a dedicated mentor is assigned to guide and support the trainee. This structured approach aims to foster a learning environment which prepares trainees for a successful career at WH Partners.
6) Can you share some examples of the types of cases or projects that new trainees might work on during their rotations?
A week in the life of a trainee will likely include a range of tasks, that will also vary depending on which department they would be in at the time.
Purely by way of example, as there is no set formula for a typical trainee work week, in the same week, a trainee in their Corporate/Commercial rotation might assist in the preparation of documentation required for corporate actions in the context of the acquisition or sale of a company or a business, carry out research on a tricky point of law in the Consumer Affairs Act, and help prepare a first draft of a client memo on directors’ personal liability.
Trainees are typically assigned a blend of client project work, and research tasks. They are always supervised, and their work is reviewed.
Through this approach, trainees gain necessary hands-on experience and improve familiarity with the language used, the processes, the law, market practice and how to interact with colleagues and clients.
7) What qualities or attributes do successful lawyers at WH Partners typically exhibit?
We seek to provide an environment which helps team members to succeed. We find that those who perform most successfully in their careers with our firm, are those who show consistency, determination, a flair for problem solving, and thinking out of the box.
8) What advice would you give to university students or recent graduates looking to secure a placement with WH Partners?
I would say that keeping an open mind and adopting a mindset that embraces versatility is key in ensuring a successful career as a lawyer. With technology and work practices evolving at such a rapid pace, it is an absolute necessity to maintain strong commercial awareness, an aptitude for new challenges and to keep ahead of the game.
This is all the more important within a firm such as WH Partners, where the latest developments and trends in technology are wholeheartedly embraced. We pride ourselves on Thinking Ahead as our firm’s tag lines says.
Should you be interested in pursuing a career at WH Partners, do not hesitate to apply here.
