Regional law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors has expanded its presence in Dorchester as it continues to grow its full-service offering for individuals and businesses across West Dorset.

The firm now occupies four suites at Somerleigh Gate in Somerleigh Road, off Princes Street, its base since the end of 2024. Taking on extra office space is designed to underpin ongoing investment in Dorchester and support a growing client base in the county town and surrounding areas.

The office is headed by Dorchester resident Chris Pemberton, a Partner in the firm’s Wills, Trusts & Probate team, who leads a dedicated team delivering a wide range of legal services locally.

Chris said:

"Our expansion at Somerleigh Gate reflects the growing local demand we are seeing for all of our legal services from our experts. This has been driven by the diverse mix of individuals, families and businesses of Dorchester requiring trusted legal advice.”

The office gives access to Ellis Jones’ full-service expertise across areas including business services, dispute resolution, employment, family law, LGBTQ+, residential and commercial property, personal injury, intellectual property, insolvency and restructuring, criminal law, banking and finance, and wills, trusts and probate.

As well as expanding its office footprint, the firm has been actively strengthening its links with the local community and business sector.

The firm hosted a recent seminar on agricultural inheritance tax and succession planning at Coastland College’s Kingston Maurward campus just outside Dorchester. Organised in association with chartered accountants and tax advisers PKF Francis Clark and estate agents and surveyors Symonds & Sampson, the event provided farmers and rural landowners with guidance on current tax reliefs and changes.

Ellis Jones was also among the sponsors of this year’s Dorchester Business Awards, held at the Corn Exchange, where the firm sponsored the Family Business category for the second consecutive year.

Dorchester-born Managing Partner Nigel Smith was on stage to present the award to winners Halo Fine Art, Kooky Bloom and Nikki’s Little Play Café.

Joined by Consultant Solicitor Malcolm Scott Walby, Nigel also networked with representatives from almost 70 local businesses at the evening celebration.

Nigel said:

“We pride ourselves on being at the heart of the community. By expanding our office in Dorchester and being involved in more local events and awards, we aim to build our network within the West Dorset community. Raising our profile means we can deliver value to more clients in need of specialist legal services.”

Ellis Jones is a Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners ranked law firm with 187 staff including 23 partners.

The Dorchester office is the firm’s eighth office, further strengthening its presence across Dorset, Hampshire and London. Ellis Jones also has offices in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Ringwood, Swanage, Broadstone, Wimborne and Fleet Street in London.

The firm’s continued investment in Dorchester follows its wider growth in the region, including the 2023 acquisition of Wimborne-based Scott Walby LLP.

For more information about Ellis Jones Solicitors’ Dorchester office, visit here.