Ellis Jones Solicitors receives Silver Defence ERS Award

South-Coast law firm Ellis Jones has received the government’s Silver Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Award for making a difference to the ‘forces family’.

The award was granted to the firm 'for its outstanding commitment to military personnel and veterans', a year after Ellis Jones signed the Armed Forces Covenant and received the ERS Bronze award.

Ellis Jones’ Armed Forces covenant is registered with the Ministry of Defence and administered by the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. Its Silver ERS application was submitted to a board at Wessex RFCA including the Army Commander for the South West and members of the business community.

Managing Partner of Ellis Jones, Nigel Smith, said: “We are privileged to be awarded with the Silver ERS award in recognition of the work that the firm has done, and continues to do, to support defence people both in terms of our staff, our clients and the wider community.”

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The law firm, with offices in Poole and Bournemouth, has raised thousands of pounds for military charities. Ellis joins also counts members of the armed forces community among its 170 staff and 22 Partners.

Part of the effort included a 100-mile Jurassic Coast trek which raised £5,500 for ABF The Soldiers Charity. Other support includes the firms provision of 10 days paid leave and working flexibility for reservists and CFAVs (to attend training camps and courses).

Associate Solicitor Conor Maher, a commissioned officer in the Army Cadet Force, spearheaded the movement towards gaining the award.

Conor was commissioned as an Officer in the Army Cadet Force in 2018 and is currently an Area Staff Officer in the rank of Lieutenant, having served previously as a Non-Commissioned Officer from 2013 to 2018. In 2020, Conor was further appointed as the ACF Regional Diversity & Inclusivity Advisor to Headquarters South West. 

He said: “The firm has already seen the huge benefit that defence people bring to the civilian workplace, and looks forward to continue working with reservists, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs), veterans, military spouses/partners, and the wider defence community to bring about positive change.”

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