A regional law firm has congratulated the latest of ten aspiring colleagues to have qualified as solicitors in the past two years.

‘Rising star’ Emily Shepard has gained her professional title after two years in the Wills, Trusts & Probate department of Ellis Jones Solicitors. The 26-year-old from Sturminster Newton, Dorset, earlier completed an LPC LLM, a Masters degree coupled with an enhanced legal practice course, at the University of Law in Exeter.

She passed her degree there with distinction while also working as a paralegal in the Disputes & Investigations team of a large London-based international law firm.

Emily also holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Law in Bristol, her first step into a legal career after an undergraduate degree in Ancient History from the Royal Holloway University of London.

Emily has now qualified as a solicitor by completing a series of Law Society-recognised modules focused on practical legal skills including advocacy, professional standards and client care.

Based at Ellis Jones’ Ringwood office, she follows in the footsteps of nine colleagues who have qualified as solicitors across various departments in the past two years.

The others are Bradley Moon, Suzi Daver, Howard Hasan, Tayla Baird, Victoria Simpkin, Leah Sharman, Daisy Kershaw, Wai Chan and Matt Rushent.

Emily, who lives in Winchester, said:

“I am so grateful to Ellis Jones for supporting me throughout my training contract and I look forward to many more years at the firm.”

Ellis Jones Managing Partner Nigel Smith said:

“Congratulations to Emily on her much-deserved qualification as a solicitor. It’s ten out of ten for us. She is the latest of ten colleagues to make the grade in the past two years, true testament to our policy of supporting young people keen to follow a legal career and encouraging them to stay with us. I wish Emily and all our rising stars every success.”