Leading South East law firm Thomson Snell & Passmore is pleased to announce the appointment of Joanna Pratt as its new Senior Partner. Joanna, who is Head of Family, will take on the role from June 2020, just ahead of the firm's landmark 450th anniversary in July.

Joanna's appointment comes as James Partridge, who has held the role since 2008, reaches the end of his final term as Senior Partner. James joined Thomson Snell & Passmore 34 years ago, becoming a partner in 1989 and Head of Corporate and Commercial in 1999. As Senior Partner for 12 years he has, through organic growth, taken the firm from 171 people with £13 million fee income to over 250 people and a fee income of over £22 million, with 30 practice areas ranked by Chambers UK and The Legal 500.

As the world's oldest law firm, Thomson Snell & Passmore celebrates its 450th anniversary in July. In addition, June will mark the end of its current five year plan and the launch of its new business plan.

Joanna, alongside CEO Sarah Henwood and the rest of the Thomson Snell & Passmore senior management team, will be responsible for bringing this new plan into fruition, harnessing the firm's expertise and experience to navigate the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, with a view to continuing to drive organic growth in the long term.

Joanna graduated from Exeter University where she obtained an Honours Degree in Law, before completing her Law Society Finals with Honours at The College of Law in Guildford. She was admitted as a solicitor in 1993.

Before joining Thomson Snell & Passmore in 2005, Joanna worked at the same firm of solicitors on the Sussex coast for over 14 years, progressing to become an equity partner. Joanna has previously served as Her Majesty's Deputy Coroner for East Sussex and is a trained collaborative lawyer.

Commenting on his career with the firm, James Partridge, Senior Partner at Thomson Snell & Passmore says: "Over the past 34 years, I have had the good fortune to work with fantastic colleagues and clients, and to watch the firm flourish and grow. I greatly value, and am extremely grateful for, the very many relationships which I have built up over the years.

"While I will of course miss everyone, I am looking forward to rising to new challenges. I know I am leaving the firm in very safe and capable hands. I have every confidence that Joanna will lead this fantastic firm on to even greater things."

Joanna Pratt, Head of Family at Thomson Snell & Passmore adds: "It has been an honour to work alongside James and I speak for everyone at the firm as we wish him all the best for a long and happy future.

"I am delighted to be taking on the role of Senior Partner. Although these are currently challenging times for all - with the coronavirus impacting every aspect of life - as a firm we have continuously adapted to change and helped guide clients through many difficult and uncertain situations over our long history. I am looking forward to working alongside our CEO Sarah Henwood, to support our employees and local communities and ultimately continue to deliver outstanding client service."

For more information contact:

Eleanor Pinkerton, Thomson Snell & Passmore, Eleanor.pinkerton@ts-p.co.uk or 01892 701307; or

Charlotte Eberlein, Thomson Snell & Passmore, charlotte.eberlein@ts-p.co.uk or 01892 701301.