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Prettys 
Elm House 25 Elm Street Ipswich IP1 2AD
Lex 100 winner
Favoured by 3 users (Register to add this entry to your favourites)

The trainee verdict

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The lowdown (in their own words...)


Why did you choose this firm over any others? 'I met them at the UEA law fair and they were very friendly and helpful'; 'I wanted a firm that was prepared to put into action its anti-discrimination policies - when they say they welcome diversity, they do!'; 'quality commercial work in a friendly setting where you won't be just another number'

How does your training compare with peers' at other firms? 'Much less stressful, more hands-on experience, more contact with clients, ability to handle own files right from the start'; 'training has been very organised'; 'it's supportive and encourages self-directed learning'; 'we're given a lot of responsibility whilst not being overloaded'

Best thing about the firm? 'Vast range of areas of law covered means that you can get a real variety in your training contract'; 'I love the fact that Prettys is so committed to not only providing a great place to work but is developing shared values which are responsible in the context of the wider community'; 'everyone is very friendly'; 'getting to leave work on time' 

Worst thing about the firm? 'Social life in Ipswich is not too hot'; 'the two offices are quite segregated'; 'nowhere to eat lunch together'; 'not much in the way of social activities and the firm has cut back a lot recently on funding outside events so trainees are left to organise/fund things themselves'; 'I've enjoyed most moments of my training contract so far'

Best moment? 'My first seat in the estates department where I enjoyed meeting clients from an early stage'; 'when a solicitor for the opposing party replied to a letter I wrote challenging the amount of damages admitting that I was probably right'; 'handling my own files for my first seat'; 'going to the High Court on various occasions'

Worst moment? 'Extensive photocopying is never fun but it's not common either'; 'quiet periods'; 'angry client'; 'feeling down when I've got a piece of work completely wrong! Although staff are always on hand for advice'; 'realising I sent out wrong documents to the other side and then realising I hadn't kept a copy of what I sent to the court'



The Lex 100 verdict

The firm

With offices in Ipswich and Chelmsford, Prettys is a large, full-service East Anglian firm. It has a broad-ranging practice ranging from heavyweight disputes in the transport world to a well-known French property group, and advises both businesses and private clients (around a quarter of the work is for individuals). Shipping is a key area and there aren't many firms with a yachting legal team. The firm also has interesting specialisms in bloodstock and sports law.


The star performers

Top-ranking departments according to The Legal 500*Commercial litigation; Employment; Professional negligence;Commercial property; Family; Shipping; Corporate and commercial; Personal injury; Sport;Debt recovery; Personal tax, trusts and probate; Transport.

The deals

Advises Seafast Logistics Plc and Caring Homes on acquisitions and disposals; acted for a defendant in a high-value copyright infringement claim brought by Experience Hendrix; the shipping group provides a specialist legal service to shipping companies, transport companies and their insurers; members of the French Property Group have an extensive network of estate agents and other contacts throughout France.

The clients

ABG Shipyard; Britannia P&I; Care UK; Dance East; Darley; Gainsborough; Godolphin; HBOS; Ipswich Town Football; JOY Fashions; Lloyds TSB; Marine Royal Sun Alliance; Trinity House.

The money


The Lex 100 verdict

If you're looking for a firm that can deliver quality work in a supportive, fairly stress-free (at least by a law firm's standards) environment have a look at Prettys. For an impressive fourth year running this East Anglian firm is a Lex 100 Winner, achieving one of the best scores in the manageable stress levels category. One trainee speaks of having 'a lot of responsibility whilst not being overloaded', another finds it 'much less stressful, with more hands-on experience, more contact with clients, and ability to handle own files right from the start'. Prettys can also offer a 'vast range' of experience, ranging from bloodstock to shipping, so is a great choice for those wanting a mix of private client and commercial work. If you're keen to roll up your sleeves there's your own caseload, together with client meetings and attending court and tribunal hearings, often solo. Several trainees applaud the overall approach to clients ('really put them in the centre of our work'), and Prettys also encourages 'wider responsibilities through pro bono and an emphasis on social responsibility'. Although trainees are given the opportunity to work in both the Ipswich and Chelmsford offices, some find that 'the two offices are quite segregated'. Several expressed the wish for more work social events, particularly since 'the firm has cut back recently on funding outside events so trainees are left to organise/fund things themselves'. However, if you can compromise on a bustling office social life and like the idea of training at a well-established, full-service regional firm providing 'a working environment which everyone enjoys', Prettys takes some beating.

A day in the life of.....

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About the firm

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