Three members of staff at south coast-based Ellis Jones Solicitors have successfully qualified as solicitors, strengthening the firm’s capabilities across two of its key departments.

Leah Sharman and Wai Chan have become solicitors in the Banking & Finance Litigation team, while Matt Rushent has qualified in the Contentious Trusts & Probate area within the Dispute Resolution department.

The trio’s achievements reflect Ellis Jones’ commitment to training and professional development, which the firm actively supports through training contracts and other opportunities to help staff grow within the company.

Ellis Jones operates from offices in Bournemouth, Poole, Ringwood, Swanage, Broadstone, Wimborne, and London, employing 178 people, including legal executives, graduates, placement students, and those eager to advance their legal careers.

Leah is a trailblazer for the firm, becoming the first solicitor to qualify through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, a new two-stage assessment.

Having started as a Conveyancing Administrator in 2017, Leah’s interest in litigation grew while studying for a legal practice diploma via the Chartered Institute for Legal Executives.

Reflecting on her journey, Leah said: “Studying while working full-time was definitely challenging, but I found that being able to apply what I was learning to real-life scenarios was very helpful.

“Ellis Jones have been extremely supportive with both my studies and progression through the firm, and I think that the experience I have gained will be invaluable in my future career as a solicitor.”

Wai, who holds a Masters in Intellectual Property and Information Law from King’s College London, joined Ellis Jones as a paralegal in 2018.

He has been training as a solicitor since 2022. Wai highlighted his client-centric approach: “Litigation is a collaborative effort and every client deserves to have their individual circumstances and goals fully understood and appreciated.

“I adopt an adaptable and commercial mindset to resolving clients’ problems, tailoring my approach to each case’s unique circumstances.”

Matt is the first trainee to qualify as a solicitor in Contentious Trusts & Probate at Ellis Jones.

His previous experience at a top 10 accountancy and audit firm has given him a solid foundation in his specialism.

Speaking about his time at the firm so far, Matt said: “What has impressed me most is the culture of the firm, how much everyone enjoys being here, and how many Partners and lawyers have trained with and stayed with the firm.

“Like many Partners, associates and lawyers before me, I see my long-term future as being with Ellis Jones and hope to repay the firm’s commitment to me and my development in the many years to come.”

Nigel Smith, Managing Partner at Ellis Jones, expressed his pride in the new solicitors: “Congratulations to Leah, Wai and Matt on their much-deserved qualifications. I wish them every success as they go forward with their legal careers.”