HARD work supporting local projects has paid off for a solicitor at a leading Basingstoke law firm.

Louise Ervin has been promoted to associate solicitor at Lamb Brooks after four-and-a-half years with the company.

Robert Finlayson, head of the dispute resolution department, who is also managing partner at the firm, along with Ann Davies said: “Louise has engaged in local projects ever since she joined – from networking groups for young professionals through to sitting on boards for charitable trusts.

“Alongside her additional work for the firm, running property workshops and taking an active role in the firm’s image, she works hard at her primary role of solicitor within the dispute resolution team, and we are delighted to support her in her endeavours by promoting her to the role of associate solicitor.

“This new role acknowledges her dedication to the firm and her desire to achieve more – both with us and for the community we serve.”

Among Louise’s first duties in her new role was to welcome the deputy vice-president and the regional manager of The Law Society, Andrew Caplen and Kim Seth, who paid a visit to the firm’s Victoria House offices, in Winchester Street.

There they met solicitors to find out what issues would be facing the firm in the coming years, and to find out how The Law Society could help.

Commenting on the visit, Ann, who is head of the family department, said: “The legal market is changing, and it is important that the organisations which govern our profession and lobby on our behalf are able to do so with as much information as possible.

“For that reason, I thought it was important that Andrew also met with Louise and other solicitors at the firm so that he could ensure he had a complete picture of the issues facing everyone, from trainees through to managing partners.

“The conversation was positive and we covered many topics. I’m sure we gave Andrew much food for thought.”

Ann added: “The Law Society was also keen to congratulate us on achieving the LawNet Excellence Mark for Client Care, and for fulfilling the requirements to become accredited on the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme.

“This emphasises the importance we place on our clients’ needs, and in particular, the hard work which our conveyancing team undertake in the property market.”