Our 2009 trainees Angela Vaughton and Kelly O'Brien have just reached the end of their training contracts and are now both qualified solicitors. We are glad that both have accepted offers to remain with the Firm.
Leigh Bowen joined us in March 2010 and signed her two year Training Contract which is the final part of her training to become a qualified solicitor. She studied for her law degree and Legal Practice Course at the University of Swansea. Leigh is a keen sportswoman having captained her local swimming club as well as swimming competitively at regional and national level, and putting something back by coaching youngsters in her club and having moved to Cheltenham is coaching on a voluntary basis at Cheltenham Swimming Club. Leigh is working in the Family Department.
Two further trainees have signed Training Contracts during 2010. Louise Rhys-Thomas in July and Damon Brookes in September 2010.
Louise has been with us since 2006 in a non-fee earning role. During that time she studied for her Legal Practice Course at University of West of England in Bristol, having previously obtained a degree in Management Science from Swansea University. Louise is particularly interested in family law, which is where she would hope to practice after she qualifies as a Solicitor.
Damon obtained his Law Degree at the University of Portsmouth and is new to Gloucestershire, completing his training with us having previously spent the first part of his Training Contract with a Reading Firm. Damon is a bit of a "petrol head" competing once a month in a Karting League.
All three (Leigh, Louise and Damon) will qualify as Solicitors in March 2012 and should have long careers ahead of them in the law.
They have been joined by Danielle Vincent who started her training contract with the firm in March 2011. Danielle is a local girl who attended Kingsmead School in Cheltenham and studied for her law degree at the University of West of England. Since graduating Danielle has worked in litigation for a number of years for a Bristol practice prior to joining Hughes Paddison and signing her Training Contract in March. A keen runner, Danielle has helped in a pro bono street law project in Bristol organising talks for school children to tackle such issues as youth crime.
