Ellis Jones lawyer Conor Maher latest to become solicitor advocate

South-coast law firm Ellis Jones has now seen three of its lawyers qualify and be formally admitted as a Solicitor Advocate by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

The latest is senior associate litigation solicitor Conor Maher, who joined the firm in 2019, and is a specialist in dispute resolution and regulatory law.

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Solicitor Advocates are only appointed if they can demonstrate experience and skills in oral and written advocacy as a qualified solicitor and pass an additional professional exam.

They can then represent clients and appear in all courts in the land, from Magistrates’, County and Crown courts up to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

"I’ve been an advocate in the Magistrates’ and County Courts for a few years, but being admitted as a Solicitor Advocate is further welcome recognition of the hard work you have to put in to hone your professional advocacy skills on behalf of clients, said Maher, who has already appeared at the Central London Criminal Court at the Old Bailey in his new wig and gown.

There, he won a complex case involving a private hire vehicle driver who was appealing against a Transport for London decision to revoke his licence.

"I’m very proud to have gained rights of audience in the higher courts. It supports Ellis Jones’ case work by giving clients peace of mind that they can have a good, thorough working relationship with their court representative right from the off knowing we have the skills in-house to complete the litigation," he added.

He joins two colleagues in the current Ellis Jones team, both senior associate solicitors, who have previously become Solicitor Advocates.

In the dispute resolution department, Daniel Flynn has higher rights of audience in the civil courts while, in the criminal and regulatory department, James Constable holds the equivalent status for appearing in criminal courts.

Under court dress protocols in England and Wales, Solicitor Advocates wear a gown, winged collar and bands, and may also wear a wig where it would otherwise be worn by a barrister.

Regional law firm Ellis Jones has 178 staff including 21 partners. It has five offices across the south coast in Bournemouth, Canford Cliffs (Poole), Ringwood, Swanage and Wimborne - as well as London.