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Attwells Solicitors

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Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Ipswich law firm highly commended at national apprenticeship awards

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Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

Attwells Solicitors has been recognised for its commitment to apprenticeships at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards. The Ipswich-based firm received a highly commended award in the SME Employer of the Year category for the East of England.

The big picture: The award acknowledges the firm's dedication to making legal careers more accessible through apprenticeships, which form a key part of their 10-year growth strategy to double in size.

Why it matters: Apprenticeships are a relatively new pathway in the legal profession, offering opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to enter the industry without traditional routes such as university.

Martine Clark, Emma Matthews and Charlotte Reason from Attwells Solicitors at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards
Martine Clark, Emma Matthews and Charlotte Reason from Attwells Solicitors at the National Apprenticeship and Skills AwardsNational Apprenticeship and Skills Awards

The details:

  • The firm was selected following a rigorous judging process.

  • Martine Clark, Emma Matthews and Charlotte Reason accepted the award at a ceremony in Cambridge.

  • The recognition was in the SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) category, specifically for the East of England region.

What they're saying: "Our experience shows that our best lawyers have grown and evolved alongside us," said Attwells CEO Nick Attwell, highlighting their commitment to nurturing talent from within.

He added:

“We are so proud to have been recognised as highly commended in the National Apprenticeship Awards. Apprenticeships are the people growth plan at Attwells and enable us to make the legal profession accessible to young people from a diverse range of backgrounds.”

Looking ahead: The firm plans to expand apprenticeship opportunities across every department as part of its 10-year growth strategy to double in size.

The bottom line: The award highlights the growing role of apprenticeships in the legal profession, and it's fantastic to see local firms like Attwells making law more accessible to people from different backgrounds.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Attwells Solicitors

An award-winning local law firm. Attwells is rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors and holds an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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Albanian drug dealer jailed after hiding cocaine in underwear

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Attwells Solicitors

Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich

An Albanian man who concealed cocaine in his underwear and presented a fake driving licence to police has been jailed for 38 months.

Why it matters: The arrest led to the discovery of more than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine at an Ipswich address. Regi Salillari, 28, from Albania, was stopped by officers from the West Area Sentinel team on 29 January while driving in Thorney Way, Stowmarket.

Albanian drug dealer Regi Salillari
Albanian drug dealer Regi SalillariSuffolk Constabulary

The details: When approached by police, Salillari attempted to deceive officers by producing a counterfeit Italian driving licence.

Officers searched him and found:

  • Four bags of cocaine hidden in his underwear

  • More than £500 in cash

Following his arrest, a search of an address in Ipswich uncovered:

  • More than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine

  • Over £1,000 in cash

Cash and cocaine was seized by police
Cash and cocaine was seized by policeSuffolk Constabulary

In court: Salillari appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on 26 March, where he pleaded guilty to:

  • Possession with intent to supply cocaine

  • Driving with no insurance

  • Possessing a fraudulent document with intent to deceive

What they're saying: PC Harry Tully from the West Sentinel team said: "Salillari came to Stowmarket with the sole intention of supplying Class A drugs in the town. When intercepted by officers he attempted to deceive them by proving false details and producing fake documents which he had clearly gone to some lengths to obtain."

"Fortunately, the tenacious officers quickly saw past this elaborate ruse and he was arrested. We will continue to proactively target those involved in organised crime wherever they might be in our county."

The bottom line: Salillari now begins a 38-month prison term, as Suffolk authorities maintain their stance of significant custodial sentences for Class A drug dealers operating in the county.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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