Ellis Jones Solicitors is leading the way by becoming one of the first law firms in the Wimborne area to adopt a groundbreaking business structure.

The firm – with offices in East Street – has stepped up its ambitious growth plans with the innovative new approach.
The move has seen it licensed as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
It gives Ellis Jones greater freedom, access to more external funding and the ability to appoint non-lawyers as partners.
The firm has seized the opportunity to promote private client consultant Andy Kirby to partner – becoming the first non-lawyer partner in Ellis Jones’ history.

Dual-qualified Andy, who specialises in wills, trust and probate, is a member of the Association of Taxation Technicians and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
He becomes Ellis Jones’ record 22nd partner after six years with the firm and 25 years in the legal sector overall.
Nigel Smith, managing partner at Ellis Jones, said: “These are exciting times.
“We are one of the few law firms in the area to have obtained ABS status, which will allow us to seize more opportunities and continue to grow the firm.
“The immediate promotion of Andy as our first non-lawyer partner is a proud moment and puts a marker down for our future ambitions under our ABS status.
“It also reflects the status and esteem in which Andy is held with a richly-deserved reputation for excellence among financial advisors and chartered accountants, especially in regard to his expertise in tax and trusts.”
Nigel added: “Ellis Jones has a long track-record of embracing innovation while staying true to its core values.
“As well as allowing us to continue to grow, our new ABS status will help us deliver a greater service for our many valued clients.”
Andy’s areas of expertise include trusts and estates, inheritance tax, income and capital gains tax, deeds of variation and will planning.
Andy said: “It’s a privilege to be the first non-lawyer partner at Ellis Jones.
“It’s a great way to start the new year and mark our new ABS licensing.”

The licensing took effect at Ellis Jones on January 1, 2023.
The Legal Services Act 2007 paved the way for ABSs, and from 2012 onwards, they came under the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) regulatory remit.
The SRA latest annual report showed there were 1,040 ABS firms, 10.5% of the total of 9,860 that it regulates.
Ellis Jones has more than 170 staff in offices in Bournemouth, Poole (Canford Cliffs), Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne as well as London.

MOVING UP: From left are new partner Andy Kirby, new associate Georgina Emmerson, managing partner Nigel Smith, new associate Tim McMahon and new associate Conor Maher. Not pictured is new senior associate Jennie Hedges

Ellis Jones has also strengthened its senior team and rewarded rising stars with five other promotions.
The firm has announced the appointments as it continues to develop talent from within for leadership roles.
The promotions are for Jennie Hedges to senior associate and associate positions for highflyers Conor Maher, Georgina Emmerson, Rosemary Drew and Tim McMahon.
Jennie Hedges, who has more than 20 years’ conveyancing experience with particular expertise in shared ownership and Help to Buy, has become a senior associate.  She is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
Conor, Georgina and Rosemary all trained at Ellis Jones, while Tim joined in 2021.
Conor specialises in dispute resolution, Georgina in family law and Tim in litigation.
All are qualified solicitors.
Rosemary qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive in May 2020 and works in Ellis Jones’ wills, trust and probate team.
Nigel Smith, managing partner, said: “Warmest congratulations to all on their richly deserved promotions.
“Jennie’s promotion is another example of the fact that you don’t have to be a solicitor to progress at the firm.
“Our new associates are among the standard bearers for the next generation of committed and talented lawyers, and I am excited to see how their careers progress with the firm.”
Nigel added: “Our commitment to promoting from within with equal opportunities for all continues to bear fruit. “These promotions herald another great year for Ellis Jones.”