“It’s a proud day for Karen, the firm, and for me personally.”

The words of Matt Fretten, Managing Partner of Frettens Solicitors, after the announcement that Karen Edwards has been promoted to Partner at the Christchurch-based law firm.

Already Head of Frettens’ growing Corporate and Commercial Team, Karen’s promotion comes 14 years after she joined Frettens as a legal secretary.

She began a training contract the following year and went on to qualify into the Corporate & Commercial Team.

Karen was promoted to Associate in 2016 and to Head of Team last year.

She also heads up the firm’s trainee programme alongside Ben Cobb, pictured left, and has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in The Legal 500, the independent guide to law firms, for the last few years.

Matt said: “Karen has worked with me in the Corporate and Commercial Team for over a decade and took over leadership of the team last year.

“She has done an exceptional job, as we all knew she would, and her promotion to partner could not be more deserved.

“I am absolutely delighted for her.”

Reflecting on her 14-year career with Frettens, Karen said: “I joined Frettens during the recession, when the future looked uncertain for many businesses.

“Since then, the firm has adapted to different challenges and gone from strength to strength and I am incredibly proud to continue to be part of that success.

“I work alongside brilliant lawyers and a reliable, hard-working support team and this has all contributed to me flourishing in my own career.

“I could not be more thrilled that I now have the opportunity to progress to partnership level.

“The corporate and commercial department now has five members and I am excited at the prospect of continuing to lead and grow the team.

“Just as with my own experience, organic growth is valuable in many ways and I am delighted to be heading up the trainee programme alongside Ben Cobb.

“With the wider introduction of flexible and hybrid working we are able to offer a more flexible service to our clients.

“2021 has seen an increase in the number of corporate transactions taking place, so I am eager to see what the future brings.”

Karen’s promotion took effect from January 1.

She joins five other team members who were promoted to partner in 2021, a reflection of the firm’s recent growth and success.

Matt, pictured left, said: “Karen’s story is a great reflection of what we are trying to do at Frettens.

“We knew from when she started with us that she was going to be a very bright lawyer and would be great with clients.

“She has developed her profile and leadership skills and moved from legal secretary to partner in just over a decade, all whilst raising a wonderful young family and embracing flexible and hybrid working.”

• frettens.co.uk