One of the south’s leading independent law firms has a new Managing Partner at the helm.

‘Renowned lawyer’ Lauren Day is stepping up to lead Ellis Jones Solicitors after a series of promotions, replacing long-standing colleague Nigel Smith in the top role.

Solicitor Lauren, the firm’s Head of Dispute Resolution, became one of its first female Partners when she was promoted from Associate Solicitor in 2013 having qualified four years earlier. An equity partner since 2017, she has worked across both the legal services side of Ellis Jones as well as championing its strategic business development and marketing.

Highly recommended for her professionalism and pragmatism in year-by-year editions of industry guides The Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK, Lauren has built her reputation in her specialist areas: acting in contentious trust and probate claims and for property developers. Under her leadership, the firm now has one of the largest and most respected Dispute Resolution teams in the region.

At the same time, she has played a leading role in shaping and delivering the firm’s strategic development and establishing new service lines including the development of teams focused on charities and LGBT legal advice.

On her promotion to the top, Lauren said:

“I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to develop my career at Ellis Jones. As a firm we actively encourage people to progress, creating an environment where entrepreneurialism is encouraged and support and mutual trust are ever present. As a result, I and many others have dedicated their careers to the firm, indeed many of my fellow Partners trained here and have followed a similar journey to mine."

"As Managing Partner, I look forward to playing an even greater part in helping the firm and our clients succeed. The legal sector is currently experiencing a great deal of change and uncertainty, but I am confident that by staying true to our culture and values and bringing personality to our work we will continue to succeed. I pay tribute to Nigel for helping to steer us to our present size and status after many years. Everyone at Ellis Jones owes him an immense debt of gratitude.”

Nigel, who has been at Ellis Jones since 1986, is standing down from the role of Managing Partner after 27 years. He will remain on board as Senior Partner for three years after which he plans to become a consultant.

Nigel said:

“Congratulations to Lauren on her thoroughly deserved promotion. She is a renowned lawyer, consistently praised for her skills and expertise not only by her colleagues and clients but by her peers and independent legal industry commentators. At Ellis Jones, her work in growing our Dispute Resolution team to be regionally recognised and in helping to form and drive the strategy of the firm generally has been significant."

“Lauren is particularly a driving force in our partnerships with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, the Swanage Railway Trust and the BOWRA Foundation, a charity that does phenomenal work supporting people who have suffered brain injuries and are looking to recover through practical help and physical challenges."

“Lauren has been, and continues to be, an inspirational figure for women within the legal industry, both locally and further afield. Since becoming a Partner, she has been the trailblazer for the exponential growth in the number of female members in our team. Of our current roll of more than 180 members of staff, around 72% are women. Among our 23 partners, nine are female.”

Among her industry credentials, Lauren is Senior Vice President of Bournemouth & District Law Society, an associate member of the Association of Contentious Trust & Probate Solicitors and ranked as a Leading Partner for Commercial Litigation in the 2026 Legal 500 guide.

In this year’s Chambers guide, Lauren is recognised as a key contact for Litigation. And in a Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Private Wealth Disputes published last year, she was praised for providing ‘clear and accurate advice’ and having ‘an excellent skill set for the resolution of complex disputes’.

The authors wrote: ‘Lauren is extremely quick of thought, identifies key issues immediately and can run cases very effectively and economically for a client while keeping a sharp eye on the intended outcome’.

Lauren’s promotion to Managing Partner and Nigel’s move to Senior Partner were announced in line with

Photo 1 - Excellent Skill Set. Lauren Day, foreground left, is the new Managing Partner of Ellis Jones Solicitors, replacing Nigel Smith, standing right. The pair are pictured at the firm’s latest annual general meeting, held at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium.

Photo 2 - Promotion. Solicitor and Head of Dispute Resolution Lauren Day has been appointed Managing Partner of Ellis Jones Solicitors.