A SOLICITOR from North Dorset is the new president of the county’s Law Society.

Paul Dunlop, principal at Blanchards Bialey, pledged to develop training and increase membership after being elected at the 183-year-old organisation’s annual meeting.

Based at the Blanchards Bailey’s Blandford office, he is head of litigation and disputes and of the firm’s agriculture team. He was named in the Legal 500 guide as one of the UK’s leading lawyers in his subject.

Emma Needham, senior associate in wills and estates administration at the same office, was elected as Dorset Law Society’s vice-president.

Mr Dunlop joined Blanchards Bailey in 2013 and is its first ever president of the society. The firm has offices in Dorchester, Shaftesbury and Weymouth.

He said: “It is a great privilege to be elected to this role. Our members work in a highly regulated profession and are committed to providing the highest quality of legal services.

“I am looking forward to continuing the society’s renaissance of recent years, and aim to focus on developing training as well as growing our membership.

“It is important that we have a spirit of openness with members talking to each other, sharing their views and collaborating on issues of mutual benefit.”

Mr Dunlop succeeded Martin Varley, partner at Humphries Kirk in Poole, as president.

The Dorset Law Society has more than 160 members and is the county representative for the Law Society of England and Wales. One of the most popular events on its calendar is its annual dinner, which is being held in May this year.

Mr Dunlop Paul takes office as Blanchards Bailey celebrates winning a hat-trick of titles at the Dorset Legal Awards: Law Firm of the Year (up to 99 employees), Company Commercial Team of the Year, and Private Client Team of the Year.