A Dorset law firm is celebrating after being recognised as one of the top legal practices in England and Wales.

Ellis Jones Solicitors is one of only 200 firms out of 10,000 nationwide to be named in The Times newspaper’s ‘Best Law Firms 2020’ guide.

The firm, which has five offices in Dorset – Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Christchurch, Swanage and Wimborne – as well as Ringwood and London, was the only law firm in Dorset to be included in the peer-review publication.

Although there are no rankings from one to 200, Ellis Jones was commended for its family law.

Individual lawyers recognised were Head of Dispute Resolution Lauren Day, Head of Employment/HR Services Kate Brooks, Joint Head of Family Deborah Leask and Joint Head of Family Sean McNally.

Nigel Smith, Managing Partner, said: “Receiving independent endorsement in such a prestigious publication means a great deal to all at Ellis Jones.

“The guide is compiled by an independent international market research firm and is based on the recommendation of lawyers within the industry so it is a real honour to be rated so highly by our peers for our services.

“It is a terrific acknowledgment of all of our hard work and we’ll continue to do our very best for our clients across the region.”

The Best Law Firms 2020 recognises the best lawyers for commercial, public and private-client law in 26 categories.

Solicitors in England and Wales were asked to recommend the best law firms, not including their own, in the only peer-to-peer survey of its kind.

Ellis Jones Solicitors’ inclusion comes hot on the heels of its recognition in the influential Legal 500 and Chambers guides.