Reynolds has been a member of the board since July 2003 and is a partner in the firm’s corporate division, heading up the M&A practice in Adelaide.

Reynolds, who will continue to be involved in the firm’s M&A team, said she is looking forward to the role and believes her previous experience has prepared her well.

“We’ve got a full-time manager in our CEO Brett Goodridge so my role is very much one of strategy and leading our board,” she said.

“I finished up on another external board last year so I guess that frees up my time a little to do this role and means in the new position that I can bring the skills that I have as a board member and external board experience to the role. I’ve been on the Thomson Playford board for four years so I have the understanding and the experience of the strategic management of a law firm already,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said she will guide the firm’s ongoing expansion on the eastern seaboard, in particular the Sydney office, while consolidating the firm’s position as a leader in South Australia.

“I’m pretty enthusiastic about it and hope to bring a new, fresh approach and my particular style is to have a large client focus so I hope to be able to bring that to bear quickly,” she said.

Thomson Playford Chief Executive Brett Goodridge said Reynolds was a good choice for positon of chair and has always gone beyond the call of duty as both a partner and board member.

“She is an outstanding lawyer and communicator in her own right but also possesses the business acumen and foresight needed as Chair,” Goodridge said.

Reynolds began her career as a graduate with Thomson Playford before a stint at Freehills as a senior associate. She returned to Thomson Playford as a partner in 1998.

She replaces outgoing chairman David Munt, who is stepping down from the position and retiring as partner. He will continue as a consultant.