South Wales solicitors Hutchinson Thomas, has further strengthened its legal prowess with four new key appointments.
The appointment of lawyers Ian East, Christopher Edwards and Leah Jones, and trainee legal executive Phillip Lewis increases the expertise at the 11 partner Neath based firm which includes 26 lawyers.
The move is part of a 12-month period of employment creation and expansion for Hutchison Thomas, which is one of the largest independent legal firms in south and west Wales with clients drawn from across England and Wales.
Former Law Society and Solicitors Regulation Authority Forensic Investigation Officer, Ian East joins Hutchinson Thomas as Practice Manager. Originally from Newport he qualified as a solicitor in 2002.
Said Ian, “ I am delighted to be joining Hutchinson Thomas and look forward to the opportunities offered by this new role.”
Commercial property lawyer Christopher Edwards is originally from Port Talbot, and during his legal career has also practiced in Caerphilly and Cardiff.
Said Christopher, “Hutchinson Thomas has a strong Commercial Property team and I am looking forward to contributing to the growth of the department.”
Joining him in the firm’s property department is Leah Jones who is also from Port Talbot. Newly qualified she has taken up her role as a residential conveyancing solicitor.
“Property is an area which particularly interests me and I am looking forward to joining the team.”
A member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), Llanelli raised Phillip Lewis joins the Civil Litigation department, specialising in Personal Injury and dispute resolution.
Phillip has acted previously for private and commercial personal injury claimants and defendants.
Said Philip, “I am looking forward to qualifying as a Fellow of CILEx in the coming months, and adding to the success of the firm.”
In addition to expanding its legal departments Hutchinson Thomas has also recently appointed a number of support staff and increased the number of employees to 64.
Hutchinson Thomas Senior Partner, Robert Williams, said, “I am delighted to welcome all our new colleagues. We pride ourselves on the strength and expertise of our team, and this expansion will further enhance the range of services we offer to our clients throughout the country.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Photo caption: New appointees: (left to right) Ian East, Christopher Edwards, Phillip Lewis and Leah Jones.
About Hutchinson Thomas
Hutchinson Thomas carries out a broad range of work for individual and commercial clients. It promotes itself as “the clear-thinking firm”.
The firm is an amalgamation of two well-established practices. Messrs L C Thomas & Son, founded in 1872, merged in 1999 with Messrs R B Hutchinson Morris & Harrett, which traces its roots back to the early part of the 20th Century.
It aims to combine the role of the traditional family solicitor with a modern, energetic and pro-active approach. Clients are entitled to high standards of work and staff at every level have an important part to play in the running of the firm.
Hutchinson Thomas provides a quality legal service in a wide range of areas, serving the community of Neath and surrounding districts, as well as attracting clients from across England and Wales.
The firm is proud of its high professional standards and is accredited by Lexcel and the Legal Aid Agency, and it is recommended in the Legal 500.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Robert Williams
robert.williams@hutchinsonthomas.com
Hutchinson Thomas
Pendrill Court
London Road
Neath
SA11 1 LF
Tel: 01639 640150