Redkite Solicitors, one of the largest legal firms in the south-west and Wales, has promoted Llanelli-born Alexia Thomas to Partner and Head of Contentious Probate.
The firm’s growth has also resulted in more opportunities for career progression across the business, with Redkite offering an unprecedented six training contracts this year. The firm now employs a total of eight ‘home grown’ trainee solicitors across their office locations.
The fast-growing legal firm, which has 12 offices and more than 185 staff, has doubled its turnover to £9 million since 2017. Redkite, which is headquartered in Pembroke and has offices in Brecon, Swansea, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Whitland, Ledbury, Stroud, Dursley, Stonehouse and Tenby, offers a broad range of specialist legal services to businesses and private clients.
Alexia Thomas joined the firm in 2018, having previously worked in a top tier disputes team in Cardiff for nine years. At Redkite, she is responsible for a six-strong contentious probate team, acting for clients across the UK and America.
Commenting on her promotion to Partner, Alexia said:
“I am delighted to become a Partner in such an ambitious, growing business. I’m particularly excited about growing our contentious probate offering, as it’s an area of the law I absolutely love.
“My commercial background makes me a pretty ruthless opponent, but I also have a very compassionate side. Most of my clients come to me at a time when they are vulnerable and upset with something happening in their personal life. Helping clients resolve their family disputes is one of the most satisfying parts of my job, and it is why I love what I do.
“As a firm, Redkite has offered me the flexibility and autonomy to build and grow a contentious probate practice. I am encouraged by the level of talent coming through the ranks as we offer more opportunities for legal graduates keen to build their careers without sacrificing their local roots and career ambitions.”
The eight trainee solicitors at Redkite are second year trainees Ffion Merriman and Rhian Jones, and first year trainees Alice Powell, Becky Scourfield, Danielle Spittles, Jake Oliver, Kelly Rivers and Trystan Davies.
Paul James, Partner and Head of Redkite’s Company Commercial Department, is the lead Partner responsible for training contracts at the firm.
He said:
“We have honed a highly-competitive training programme, which is designed to find and develop the very brightest legal talent. We take pride in offering development opportunities to people at all levels of the firm; in fact, one member of our employment law team started as a receptionist.
“This approach is unusual in the legal sector, but we have always recognised that we are only as good as our people. That is why we go the extra mile to find the best people and give them every chance to shine.”
Neil Walker, chief executive of Redkite, said:
“Redkite Solicitors has been helping individuals, families and businesses across England and Wales resolve their legal issues for over one hundred years. As a law firm rooted in the local communities it serves, we make it our business to develop the best local talent.
“We are finding that many talented lawyers don’t want to leave their roots to practice in the big cities; they want to be able to develop their skills while maintaining an excellent quality of life here in Wales.
“Alexia is an excellent example of this – born in Llanelli, she was keen to return to work in the area to get a better work life balance but she didn’t want to compromise on her career ambitions. Since she joined us, her drive, work ethic and dedication to clients have meant becoming Partner was a natural progression for her.
“We are delighted that our recent growth and expansion has resulted in more opportunities across the board, from partners to trainees. This demonstrates our continued commitment to investing in our people, and to providing the very best legal services to our growing client base.”
