Leathes Prior welcomes five new Trainee Solicitors to the firm
Leathes Prior is delighted to welcome five new Trainee Solicitors to the firm, Dylan Owen, Eleanor Feltwell, Harry Smith, Zumiqo Johnson, and Imogen Fraser.


The five trainees will rotate through four seats throughout the duration of their two-year training contract, working in various departments across the firm. This will give them the opportunity to gain experience and exposure to different areas of law during their training, preparing them to become well-rounded solicitors and deliver the best service to clients.
Dylan Owen graduated from the University of Durham with a degree in Theology and Religion in 2023 before going on to study for the Graduate Diploma in Law at Cardiff University. Whilst undertaking the GDL, Dylan was a volunteer team leader for Support Through Court at the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre. Dylan obtained a Distinction in his Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice at BPP University. He also has previous experience working as a Paralegal in insurance claims. For his first seat, Dylan will be sitting in the Corporate & Commercial Team with Jack Horwitz.
Eleanor Feltwell graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in Law, during her time at UEA, Eleanor volunteered with the Business Law Clinic, and was among the first set of students to volunteer with this new program, which offered free legal advice to SME's in Norfolk and Suffolk. In March 2023, Eleanor joined us for the LP Easter Vacation Scheme, before going on to study the LPC at the University of Law in Norwich. Eleanor will be sitting in the Regulatory & Defence Team with Howard Catherall for her first seat.
Harry Smith graduated from Newcastle University in 2019 with a degree in Law before completing the LPC and LLM at BPP University in 2023. Since completing his studies, Harry has worked as a paralegal focusing on litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in construction disputes. For his first seat, Harry will be sitting in the Residential Property Team with Jake Mowatt.
Zumiqo Johnson graduated from the University of East Anglia with a degree in Law in 2023 before going on to complete the LPC at the University of Law in Norwich in 2024. During her time studying, Zumiqo volunteered with the Norfolk Community Law Service in the Family Department. Before beginning her training contract with us in September 2025, Zumiqo joined LP in September 2024 as a Paralegal in the Residential Property Team. In her first seat, Zumiqo will be sitting with Polly Langford, Partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Team, with a focus on commercial disputes.
Imogen Fraser graduated from the University of East Anglia in 2024 with a degree in Law, before completing the LLM Law Masters and LPC at the University of Law. Imogen joined Leathes Prior in June 2025 as a Paralegal in the Residential Property Team, before starting her training contract in September 2025. For the first seat of her training contract, Imogen will be sitting in the Residential Property Team with Parter Lily Beel.
Training Principle, Sarah Appleton commented: “I am very excited to welcome Dylan, Eleanor, and Harry to LP, and welcome Zumiqo and Imogen back as Trainee Solicitors. Having shone during the recruitment process, I am confident that each of them will be valuable assets to the firm during their training and beyond. At Leathes Prior, we are passionate about developing the next generation of legal professionals, and I look forward to seeing their careers flourish over the coming months and years.”
The firm is delighted to welcome all five Trainee Solicitors, and we wish them all the best of luck with their training and their futures at Leathes Prior.


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