Partnership prospects for Thomas Eggar’s associates are on the up as the firm advances its focus on organic growth.

Thomas Eggar” /> Partnership prospects for Thomas Eggar’s associates are on the up as the firm advances its focus on organic growth.

The South East firm has traditionally favoured external recruitment, but managing partner Tony Edwards says there is now opportunity for promotions across the board as the firm aims to become a leading regional outfit.

“There’s a policy to promote from within so we get the right calibre of people from the outset and we can train to our standards and retain them,” Edwards says.

Edwards’ comments reaffirm the shift in focus seen in recent years. Thomas Eggar has made up three lawyers to the partnership in each of the last three financial years, compared with just one in 2004-05.

However, the firm has also made a substantial number of lateral hires of late, having taken over Penningtons‘ Newbury office last month (www.thelawyer.com, 23 November).

The acquisition hikes Thomas Eggar’s headcount by 84 – including six trainees and 10 partners – and boosted the partnership to 67.

Thomas Eggar also plans to open an office of 20-25 fee-earners in Southampton in April, largely made up of internal transfers assisted by several forthcoming lateral hires.