A solicitor has become a part-owner of the Ipswich law firm she joined 30 years ago.

Jane Riley, who is head of the residential property department at Kerseys Solicitors, qualified as a solicitor in 1988. She returned to Kerseys in 2000 after a short break bringing up her three children.

Jane, who originally dealt with commercial property, went on to specialise in residential property and has now been promoted to equity partner.

“This is an opportunity to play a role in Kerseys’ management and help shape its future,” she said. “I’ve always found Kerseys to be an approachable and pro-active firm and I am keen to play my part in developing this.”

Jane, 52, was born in Ipswich and went to Northgate Grammar School for Girls. After a law degree at the University of Hull, she took up a training contract at Kerseys.

She is active in the community, and was elected as a borough councillor in 2014.

Managing partner Anthony Wooding said they were “delighted” to have her as an equity partner. “Jane has been a long-standing asset to the company,” he added.