JCP Solicitors announces two new business owners

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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JCP Solicitors has expanded its ownership structure with the appointment of two new business owners, as the firm marks its 35th anniversary year and continues to pursue growth across Wales.

Directors Sophie Thomas and Nick O’Neill have joined the firm’s ownership group, taking the total number of business owners to 15.

The move reflects JCP’s strategy of promoting senior talent from within as it builds on more than three decades of legal services delivery.

Thomas, Director and Joint Head of Commercial Litigation, has been recognised as a ‘leading light’ in the latest edition of the Legal 500, where she is also listed as a Leading Partner.

Her work includes negotiating commercial settlements and managing cases for major lenders, including a high street bank, with a focus on recovering both secured and unsecured business lending.

She also advises fixed charge receivers across Wales and England and is an Associate Member of Nara.

Alongside her fee-earning work, Thomas plays a key role in developing future legal talent as JCP’s Training Principal, mentoring trainee solicitors and graduate legal assistants. She also holds a non-executive position at Swansea Building Society.

Thomas said: “I am delighted to become one of the owners at JCP, in the same month that I celebrate 15 continuous years with the firm.

“My colleagues across JCP are shaping the Welsh legal sector, and I am proud to be part of the team driving that progress forward.”

O’Neill, a Director within Injury Services, specialises in medical negligence and has now stepped into the additional role of Head of Medical Negligence. #

A member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, he was named a Next Generation Partner in the latest Legal 500 rankings.

He has also led the firm’s Redress team, which works on cases under the NHS “Putting Things Right” scheme, a formal process for handling and investigating complaints about medical care.

JCP is among a select group of firms recognised by the NHS for its expertise in this area.

O’Neill said: “Joining the Business Owners at JCP is a real accolade, and I am honoured to be stepping into the new role of Head of Medical Negligence while supporting the continued growth of the business as an owner.

“Having completed my training contract at JCP, then working in medical negligence ever since, this feels like a full-circle moment.”

The appointments come during a milestone year for the firm, which is celebrating 35 years in operation and has recently completed a merger with Howe & Spender as part of its wider expansion strategy.

Hayley Davies, Chief Executive of JCP Solicitors, said: “Sophie and Nick both embody JCP’s values of client service excellence and providing specialist legal knowledge, all delivered in a transparent and accessible way.

“Both initially joined JCP as a Trainee Solicitors, then furthered their career development at Top 100 law firms for a short time, honing their expertise.

“Their return to JCP marked the start of a significant next chapter, and by 2026 both are leading teams that collectively generate a fifth of the firm’s turnover.

“These promotions demonstrate our continued commitment to developing from within and providing long-term career paths for legal professionals in Wales.

“Combined with our recent merger with Howe & Spender, and our 35-year anniversary celebrations, we are delighted to be bringing two new business owners into our senior team as we continue to meet our strategy for growth.”