EAST Anglian law firm Prettys has firmly bucked the trend by taking on seven new trainees.

The firm, which has offices in Ipswich, Chelmsford and Cambridge, said it was “delighted” to be able to invest in new talent, despite the recent economic downturn.

Chief executive Paul Dickie said: “Prettys is committed to developing the skills and expertise of new legal graduates – today’s trainees are tomorrow’s partners.”

The seven recruits who have started their training contracts at Prettys are Amanda Brown, Kimberley Corby, Oliver Storey, Alice Bowkett, Melissa Symes, Daniel Billson and Darryl Rodrigues.

Ms Brown graduated from the University of Essex and completed her LPC at Anglia Ruskin University. She then worked as a paralegal for Prettys and a London city firm, before taking her first seat in Prettys’ shipping and insurance department in the Ipswich office.

Ms Corby graduated from the University of East Anglia and completed her LPC at Anglia Ruskin University. Before joining Prettys, she studied for an LLM legal practice and completed work experience at several firms in East Anglia and in London. Her first seat is in the corporate department at Prettys’ Ipswich office.

Mr Storey graduated from Canterbury Kent University and completed his LPC at BPP Law School in London. Before joining Prettys, he worked in corporate finance for an international financial data company, and as a paralegal in conveyancing. His first seat is at Prettys’ Chelmsford office in employment.

Ms Bowkett graduated from Manchester University and completed her LPC at BPP Law School in Manchester. She has spent the last year gaining experience as a paralegal in the personal injury litigation department of an international law firm. Her first seat is in the estates department at Prettys’ Ipswich office.

Ms Symes graduated from the University of Essex as a mature student, and completed her LPC at Anglia Ruskin University in Chelmsford. She joins Prettys with three years’ experience in professional indemnity and employers’ liability matters at an insurance brokerage. Her first seat is in the shipping, insurance and projects department in Ipswich.

Mr Billson graduated with from Sheffield Hallam University, and gained his LPC from the College of Law, London. He is also an FA licensed football agent. Before starting his training contract at Prettys, he worked as a legal clerk for a solicitors firm in London. His first seat is in the employment department at Ipswich.

Mr Rodrigues graduated from the University of Sheffield and completed his LPC at King’s College London. As a student, he worked with the National Centre for Domestic Violence and Amicus on capital punishment cases and as a housing paralegal with a London law firm. His first seat is in commercial property at the Ipswich office.