A HAMPSHIRE lawyer says promoting young talent will be the main focus of his year as president of Bournemouth & District Law Society (BDLS).

Nigel Smith, managing Partner of Ringwood law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors, was elected at the annual meeting, held at Bournemouth’s Carlton Hotel.

The new senior vice president is Edward Holmes of Forest Edge and Meesons Solicitors while Mark Kiteley, of Kiteley Solicitors, is junior vice president.

More than 50 people attended the annual meeting of BDLS which represents about 500 lawyers in Bournemouth and surrounding areas including Poole, Wimborne, Wareham and Christchurch.

Nigel, who has practised for more than 30 years and been managing partner of Ellis Jones for 18 years, said he was proud to be elected as president.

He added: “My main focus for the year is to promote young talent through building closer relationships between the profession and local schools. I also look forward to working closely with the Junior Lawyers division of the society.”

As president, Nigel will represent BDLS at numerous events during the year starting with this month’s Law Society Presidents and Secretaries Conference, described as “the most anticipated networking and social event of the year for local law societies”.