Ipswich-based law firm Prettys is celebrating a series of promotions in five departments following positive business growth in the first six months of the year.

East Anglian Daily Times: From left, senior associates Rebecca Palmer, Georgina Rayment, Vanessa Bell and Claire Barritt. Picture: PRETTYSFrom left, senior associates Rebecca Palmer, Georgina Rayment, Vanessa Bell and Claire Barritt. Picture: PRETTYS (Image: Prettys)

The firm has introduced a senior associate grade to recognise the talent and experience in the firm and create a springboard for promotions to partner level in the future.

The new senior associates are Claire Barritt in real estate, Vanessa Bell in Employment , Rebecca Palmer in (construction) real estate and Georgina Rayment in family.

Chief executive Ian Carr said: “I am delighted to announce our first senior associate appointments. The new appointments are key to driving further growth in the business and delivering even better client service.”

Prettys has also announced four further associate promotions - Dan Bilson in corporate, Victoria Mayhew in family and Sheilah Cummins and Laura Pharez-Zea in employment.

•Ipswich-based law firm Birketts has appointed Simon Kelly as a legal director to further strengthen its planning and environment team.

Simon specialises in contentious and non-contentious planning law, advising and acting for local authorities, development corporations, national housebuilders, commercial developers and land promoters.

Tom Newcombe, partner and head of the planning and environment team, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to Birketts in response to client demand. He will be based at our Cambridge office but will support colleagues across our four offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich.

“Simon has advised on all aspects of residential and commercial developments and re-developments, including the regeneration of the Olympic Park in London, major green belt developments in Cheshire and Bedfordshire, judicial reviews both for claimant and defendant, planning appeals, and complex section 106 agreements, including tailored viability review mechanisms.

“He has also advised LPAs on preparing and adopting planning policy, Development Consent Orders, CIL and on promoting and opposing compulsory purchase orders. He also advises on infrastructure agreements.”

•Bury St Edmunds law firm Greene & Greene Solicitors is expanding its corporate and commercial team with the appointment of Mark Williams.

Mark, who was recently described by independent legal guide The Legal 500 as a Rising Star, qualified in 2010 and joins Greene & Greene in Bury St Edmunds from the Cambridge office of a well-known regional firm. He has a particular interest in the technology sector and advises on a range of business matters including mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements and intellectual property rights. He is a keen musician and sportsman and having grown up in West Suffolk is delighted to have returned with his young family.

Senior partner Michael Batty said: “Mark’s experience within the technology sector will bring great value to our corporate and commercial team and the services that we can offer to our clients. We are always on the look-out for talented lawyers and are delighted to welcome Mark to Greene & Greene. I wish him every success in his career here in Bury St Edmunds.”

•Two solicitors have successfully completed their two-year training contracts at Essex law firm Birkett Long and secured permanent positions.

University of Essex first-class graduate Sian Taylor, 25, will boost the commercial real estate team based in the firm’s new offices in Amphora Place, Colchester.

Thomas Emmett, 26, from Benfleet, will be based predominantly at the firm’s Basildon office, further strengthening the South Essex Business team.

Sian said: “I decided when I was about 14 that I wanted to be a solicitor and I have always found the intricacies of the law very interesting.

“Birkett Long is a lovely firm to work at. Ever since I met members of the firm at a law careers event at university I wanted to work there.”

She achieved a distinction for her Legal Practice Course at the University of Law in London and secured work experience with Birkett Long. Her offer of a training contract came before she started her placement.

She started working in the commercial real estate team in Colchester and immediately developed a love for the subject. Thomas, a former student at SEEVIC College in Essex, will lead Birkett Long’s newly-established drinks, hospitality and leisure team, which brings together specialists in business, commercial property and litigation to support Essex businesses working in these sectors. He will also be a member of the firm’s education team.

He gained a teaching qualification and helped to deliver the CILEx Level 2 Legal Studies course at a south Essex college while studying for his Legal Practice Course.

Thomas gained work experience with an Italian law firm in Milan and a barristers’ chambers near Sydney in Australia, as well as with an international law firm in Sheffield, while undertaking his legal studies.

•Ipswich-based law firm Birketts has announced the appointment of Ruth Pyatt as a senior associate in its wills and advisory team.

Ruth, who is a STEP Technician and fully accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly, has experience in contentious and non-contentious estate administration and trust work. She regularly advises clients on complex estates, including those with assets abroad, cross-border matters, as well as preparing and advising on wills and trusts.

Partner Lorna Spear said: “I’m delighted to welcome Ruth to Birketts in response to client demand. Ruth will enhance our market-leading team that is recognised for the provision of private client, family and agricultural law advice. She will be based at our Norwich office but will support colleagues across our four offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich.”

“I’m really excited to have joined the team,” said Ruth.

•Independent estate agents Flick & Son has expanded its Halesworth branch with the appointment of Grace Young as

sales manager.

Grace has helped to strengthen sales departments at Flick & Son’s branches in Saxmundham and Leiston since joining the company four years ago. She has been involved in estate agency for almost a decade having previously gained experience at two other well-known agencies in the county.

Having lived in Suffolk nearly all her life, Grace says her considerable local knowledge is a great advantage.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the team in Halesworth and look forward to serving our new and existing clients,” she said.

Grace will work alongside Mark Stewart who established the Halesworth branch in 2003 and remains a property consultant for the company.