Ellis Jones Solicitors has bolstered its Wills, Trusts and Probate department with the appointment of new partner Carla Brown and her team.
Carla, who becomes Ellis Jones’ fifth female partner – out of 15 – has rejoined as Head of Wills, Trusts & Probate, having worked for the firm previously between 2005 and 2009.
She brings with her Louise Sutton, chartered legal executive, and Rosemary Drew, paralegal. All three previously worked for a Hampshire-based law firm.
Born in Dorchester, Carla attended Corfe Hills School, the Bournemouth and Poole College and the University of Manchester where she graduated in Combined Studies of History & Social Sciences.
She qualified as a solicitor in 2002 after studying law – mainly in her spare time – while working for another Dorset law firm.
Carla first joined Ellis Jones as an assistant solicitor in 2005, moving to a Hampshire law firm four years later where, latterly, she was a partner and Head of Wills, Tax and Trusts.
Her area of expertise includes advising high – and ultra high – net worth clients in the UK and internationally on estate planning and their UK tax position.
She is also highly experienced in preparing complex Wills, advising on the establishment, initial structuring, restructuring, winding up and taxation of Trusts as well as Powers of Attorney, loan agreements and estate administration advice.
Carla is named as a ‘Leading Individual’ in the Legal 500 and also features in the 2018 edition of Chambers High Net Worth, an independently researched guide to law firms.
Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones’ Managing Partner, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Carla back to the firm. It’s a particular coup to secure the services of Louise and Rosemary as well.”
“Ellis Jones has moved into a different league since Carla left in 2009. The fact that we’re able to attract back high-fliers, such as Carla, is evidence of that.”
Carla added: “I decided to return to Ellis Jones because of its amazing reputation for staff retention, friendly and supportive atmosphere and impressive growth over the last few years. I am relishing the opportunity to help shape and grow the firm further.”
Ellis Jones is a regional law firm with more than 160 staff including 15 partners.
It has five offices across the south coast in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne – as well as London – and offers a wide range of services to individuals and businesses.
Ellis Jones was named ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at the 2018 Dorset Legal Awards. Nigel Smith, Managing Partner, also received the Lifetime Achievement Award.