South Wales-based solicitors Watkins and Gunn has announced a new partner on the back of continued growth in 2016/17.

The firm, with offices in Newport, Cardiff and Pontypool, has promoted associate Janine Edwards to partner to reward the excellent results she achieved in her role as head of the property team.

She joins fellow partners Clive Thomas, Jonathan Wellington, Sophie Hughes, Michael Imperato and Lisa Guscott.

Ms Edwards, a specialist property lawyer, joined the firm in 2014, bringing a wealth of experience to the firm. Her role includes managing a variety of residential property transactions, as well as dealing with all aspects of commercial property such as acquisition and disposal of development land, business leases, development deals, and commercial lending.

During her first 18 months at Watkins and Gunn Solicitors, Ms Edwards has revolutionised the service that the property team provide to clients. It has proved so popular it has resulted in a 39 per cent increase in completions.

Ms Edwards, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, was awarded the title of Conveyancer of the Year at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2016. She also received the firm's inaugural Exceeding Expectations Award in 2016.

Clive Thomas, managing partner at Watkins and Gunn said: “We are delighted to welcome Janine into the partnership. It is richly deserved, as in a relatively short time, that she has proved herself to be an invaluable asset and shown an incredible amount of commitment both to the business and to her clients.

“Her leadership has been motivational and she sets a wonderful example to her team and the staff as a whole.”

Ms Edwards said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been invited to become a partner.

“The partners here are forward thinking and have developed the business into one of the leading modern law firms, while retaining its traditional values. I am looking forward to being a part of the firm's ongoing development and success.”