Awards
Our awards and accreditations reflect and demonstrate our commitment to our standard of practice and our dedication to providing the best-possible service for our clients, and supporting the wider community.
In the past five years, we’ve been shortlisted for 41 awards, and won 22 of them.
Christina wins CEO of the Year
Our chief executive, Christina Yardley won ‘CEO of the Year 2025’ in the Business Desk East Midlands Awards.
The award highlights the strength of her leadership, driving the growth that has tripled the headcount of Rothera Bray under her tenure. It follows her success as Leader of the Year earlier in 2025.
Seven Awards from Three Best Rated
We won in seven categories in the Three Best Rated 2025 awards, which are based around a 50-point inspection of local businesses.
These awards covered our Debt Recovery, Driving Offence, Employment, Personal Injury and Property teams in both Nottingham and Leicester.
Finalists in the Personal Injury Awards
Our Serious Injury team have been nominated in every category they entered in the 2025 Personal Injury Awards. The full teams have been nominated as ‘Teams of the Year’ for both Catastrophic Injury and Clinical Negligence.
As individuals, Greg Almond is a finalist in the Catastrophic Injury Lawyer of the Year category, Ian Johnson is nominated for Clinical Negligence Lawyer of the Year and Julie Walker is up for Claimant Lawyer of the Year. The finals are in November.
WIRED Trailblazer
We were flattered to be recognised as a WIRED Consulting 2025 Trailblazer.
The accolade celebrates innovative, fast-growing UK companies that are driving growth, leading positive change, and tackling societal, economic, and environmental challenges through technology and pioneering approaches.
Shortlisted for East Midlands Business of the Year
We’ve been shortlisted for the East Midlands Business of the Year by TheBusinessDesk.com. The nominated entries are those businesses that are innovating, disrupting and thriving.
Christina Yardley has also been shortlisted for Chief Executive of the Year. The awards ceremony is in October 2025.
Large Law Firm of the Year – Highly Commended
Our Leicestershire branches were Highly Commended in the Leicestershire Law Society awards 2025, for Large Law Firm of the Year.
It recognises the growth of our firm and the sterling efforts of our Leicester teams.
Professional services winners – cheers duckie
In April 2025, we were crowned #1 for Professional Services in Nottingham. Our Licensing Team accepted the award at the event, run by It’s In Nottingham.
The awards are known as ‘duckies’, from the colloquial Nottingham greeting, “Ey up me duck”…
Triple win at Notts Law Society
We won every category we entered at the 2025 Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards.
Kirsten Wood received the award for Partner of the Year, Georgina Power received Junior Lawyer of the Year, and Sarah Singh won Equality and Diversity Champion. Congratulations all!
Junior Lawyer of the Year
Liam Wicks, Corporate and Commercial Solicitor at our Derby branch, was awarded Junior Lawyer of the Year 2025, at the Derby and District Law Society Awards.
The award recognises his dedication to professional growth, client relationships, business development, and local charity initiatives.
Christina Yardley wins two Leadership Awards
Our CEO, Christina Yardley, won in two categories at the TheBusinessDesk.com East Midlands Leadership Awards, for Company Leader (101+ employees) and Leader of the Year.
Christina said, “Winning these awards is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire firm. We’ve created a culture that prioritises people, values work-life balance and strives for excellence in everything we do. This recognition motivates us to keep pushing the boundaries and making a positive impact, both within the firm and the communities we serve.”
Double winners at the 2024 Personal Injury Awards
Our Serious Personal Injury team brought home two awards at November’s 2024 Personal Injury Awards. The team as a whole won Catastrophic Injury Team of the Year, while Julie Walker (second from left) won Clinical Negligence Lawyer of the Year. It shows their unwavering commitment to excellence and their drive to make a real difference for our clients.
Finalists in six categories at the Personal Injury Awards
Our Serious Injury team have been nominated for multiple categories at the Personal Injury Awards 2024. Awards include Team of the Year for Catastrophic Injury, Claimant, and Clinical Negligence. Individual finalists for Lawyer of the Year include Greg Almond, Ian Johnson, Seetal Patel and Julie Walker, again across the categories of Catastrophic Injury, Claimant and Medical Negligence.
Customer Service Champions
We were highly commended in the ‘Customer Service Champions’ category at the 2024 British Wills and Probate Awards . These awards, established in 2018, recognise exceptional service and expertise in the wills, probate, and private client sectors. Receiving this award is a testament to the trust and excellence we strive to provide to our clients.
Triple nominee at the EMC Business Awards
We’re finalists in three categories in the 2024 East Midlands Chamber of Commerce Business Awards. We were nominated in the award categories of Business Improvement Through Technology, Community Impact and Excellence in Customer Service.
Outstanding Client Care
Modern Law Private Client Awards 2024: The firm has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Client Care category at the Modern Law Private Client Awards for delivering exceptional client service, using innovation to improve and maintain client care and resolve issues and demonstrating that client care lies at the very heart of the firm.
Partner of the Year, Solicitor of the Year and Team of the Year
Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards 2024: The firm was shortlisted in not one but three categories at the 2024 Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards: Partner and Head of Personal Injury Greg Almond was shortlisted for Partner of the Year, Senior Associate Solicitor Advocate Grant Benskin was nominated for Solicitor of the Year and our Wills and Probate team were shortlisted for Team of the Year.
Excellence in Customer Service – WINNER!
East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2023: We won the Excellence in Customer Service category for constantly striving to exceed customer expectations and delivering industry-leading standards of service, as evidenced by the feedback we receive from clients, our call staff and the values our staff follow
Social Commitment and Team of the Year
Enterprising Women Awards 2023: We were shortlisted in both the Social Commitment category for the impact that our CSR policies have had on our staff as well as the wider community, and the Team of the Year category for the work of our Private Client team, who were nominated for their commitment to clients and providing excellent customer service as well as their involvement in community initiatives.
Young Achiever of the Year
Personal Injury Awards 2023: Our Trainee Solicitor Abagail Clark was shortlisted for Young Achiever of the Year for the dedication, expertise and unwavering support she offered to clients and their families who have been the victims of medical mismanagement or catastrophic events or accidents whilst completing her seat in the firm’s Personal Injury department.
Best Workplace Wellbeing
Modern Law Private Client Awards 2023: Rothera Bray has been shortlisted for Best Workplace Wellbeing at the Modern Law Private Client Awards for our strong commitment to providing a positive working environment that supports its staff through our social, financial and diversity and inclusion policies, as well as implementing long-term commitment to supporting the mental health of staff through some staff members completing mental health awareness training, providing flexible and hybrid working, offering wellbeing activities through our staff development forum and providing counselling and a workplace chaplain.
Volunteering and Charitable Impact
East Midlands Chamber Generation Next Awards 2023: The Volunteering and Charitable Impact Award recognises an individual in business who goes above and beyond their role within the company to support local communities and charitable organisations by volunteering. Our Head of Marketing Jo Walchester was shortlisted for this award on the basis of her support of local charities including designing websites for organisations, as well as the inititaives she has introduced within the firm to benefit staff such as our staff development forum, developing a relationship with Nottingham Workplace Chaplaincy, our employee of the month scheme and completing training in mental health awareness.
Community Champion
Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards 2023: Our Head of Marketing Jo Walchester was shortlisted for the Community Champion category at the Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards for the initiatives she has introduced within the firm such as our staff development forum and coaching and mentoring support to staff, as well as developing the firm’s social mobility initiatives and work experience programme and her work benefitting local organisations including designing the websites for NRG Lawyers and Nottingham Workplace Chaplaincy.
Community and Charity Champions
British Wills and Probate Awards 2022: We were highly commended for the Community and Charity Champions category due to several initiatives that we are involved in, including our free legal advice clinics, our association with NRG Lawyers, an organisation that aims to break down barriers for students of non-Russell Group universities who wish to pursue legal careers, our talks to school students about careers in the legal industry and different routes into the profession, as well as our staff benefits and sustainability measures.
Claimant Team of the Year
Personal Injury Awards 2022: Our Personal Injury team have been shortlisted for the Claimant Team of the Year category on the basis of the impressive settlements they have reached for clients, paperless working, effective and innovative management led by Head of Personal Injury Greg Almond, opportunities within the team for career development and progression and outstanding client care, as well as their fundraising activities for several charities.
Lifetime Achievement Award category – WINNER!
Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards 2022: Partner and Head of Wills and Probate Jayne Smith won the Lifetime Achievement Award due to her impact in the local community and the wider profession, her involvement with Nottinghamshire Law Society’s International Committee and her contributions to charitable organisations during her 40-year career at Rothera Bray.
Law Firm of the Year: Midlands and Wales
Family Law Awards 2021: Our Family and Child Care team were shortlisted for Family Law Firm of the Year: Midlands and Wales at the 2021 Family Law Awards on the basis of the quality of the services we offer, recent cases in which the team has acted, services benefitting the local community such as our free legal clinics and testimonials from clients.
Contribution to the Community Award
Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards 2021: We were finalists in the Contribution to the Community category at this year’s Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards for our community initiatives, including partnering with RideWise to launch a survey about people’s cycling habits during lockdown and donating funds to their community bike library; the adaptations made to our legal services during Covid-19 and staff wellbeing and development initiatives.
Excellence in Collaboration Award
East Midlands Chamber Business Awards 2021: We were finalists for the Excellence in Collaboration category for our legal clinics with Derbyshire Carers Association which provide free legal advice to their service users and staff. Over 400 people have accessed the clinics since they were launched, with the firm adapting the clinics to take place via phone or video call during Covid-19 to ensure service users could still access this vital service.
Client Care Award
Modern Law Awards 2020: We were shortlisted for the Client Care Award at the 2020 Modern Law Awards as a result of our high levels of client care from initial contact to the completion of a matter, including our personalised client service, our commitment to training staff to ensure they provide the highest levels of care and our use of technology including e-documents and digital signatures so that clients can access documents and get updates on the matter at any time.
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Posted 26 February 2026
I recently instructed Rothera Bray Solicitors for a totting up/exceptional hardship case and cannot praise them highly enough. Despite some delays and inconsistencies on my part during case preparation, they remained professional, patient, and thorough throughout. The solicitor expertly presented my circumstances to the Magistrates, resulting in a finding of exceptional hardship and no disqualification despite reaching 12 points. This outcome has protected my employment and family responsibilities. Their communication was clear, their advice was sound, and their representation in court was excellent. I'm extremely grateful for their work during what was an incredibly stressful time. Would absolutely recommend to anyone facing similar circumstances.
Terence
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Posted 26 February 2026
A fast, reliable and professional service from start to finish. Thank you very much!
Vladimir Korolkov
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Posted 25 February 2026
Great experience with Ellie from the Derby office. Her communication was great throughout, keeping me informed and explaining everything clearly. She was professional, supportive, and I particularly liked the regular structured updates.
Hannah Nesbitt
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Posted 24 February 2026
We recently used Rothera Bray for support with a commercial lease on our new offices and had an excellent experience from start to finish. As a charity, choosing the right solicitor was really important to us, and we approached them based on their strong local reputation. We worked with Marneya, who was fantastic throughout the entire process. He was incredibly responsive, always quick to answer emails and calls, and he went out of his way to ensure all of our questions were fully addressed. There were some unexpected changes and Marneya handled them calmly and efficiently. He liaised directly with the landlord’s solicitor and made sure everything was completed to the highest standard. Most importantly, he took the time to clearly explain every aspect of the lease so we felt confident and fully informed before signing. He was approachable, friendly, and professional at all times. We wouldn’t hesitate to use his services again and highly recommend him to others.
Julia Synnott
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Posted 23 February 2026
Life-saver, Lauren was brilliant. She offered quick, thorough advice that completely turned my situation around. She was understanding, engaged and direct throughout all of our conversations, and I can't recommend her more.
Employment client
stars
Posted 23 February 2026
Very professional. Very approachable. Set my mind at ease during this difficult transition of switching jobs. I will recommend your firm to my contacts and once again, thank you.
Christian Thompson
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Posted 23 February 2026
We were very impressed with the excellent service from Ellie & her team! They were prompt, informative & helpful from the very beginning, keeping us advised throughout the process & making our home purchase a pleasure. If we could give them 10 stars, we would! Highly recommended!
Craig Dunn
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Posted 20 February 2026
Absolutely delighted with Rothera Bray. Their services were quick and smooth. Sally was amazing throughout the whole process. Thankyou so much. Will definitely recommend to others and use Rothera Bray in the future again. Outstanding service! And so quick! Definitely worth the money.
Sady S
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Posted 20 February 2026
Sallie Poultney handled all of the work on my mother's and father's estate, and some of the other team there were involved where needs - e.g. on trust matters and handling the sale of their house, and it's all been very efficient and expertly handled. I would recommend the team there unequivocally.
Piers Wilson
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Posted 20 February 2026
Sara and Akeeta looked after our case when we were buying a property. They were both super helpful, polite and fast to respond, and helped chase other people when there was problems in the chain. Would recommend Rothera Bray to anyone, we’d definitely use them again!
Nadia Williams
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Posted 19 February 2026
Many thanks to the conveyancing team in Beeston for the advice and work with the house sale especially after the change of the buyers solicitor at a very late stage. The proceeds were paid very promptly into my account. Thank you Sandy and the team for all the help.
Chris Bradbury
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Posted 19 February 2026
Big thanks to Ellie for the super professional and friendly way she managed the selling of our house! She held our hand during the entire nerve-wrecking process we had to go through for the past year, sorting all the issues the buyers kept raising in the most absurd way, and she never lost the positive attitude and confidence that things will turn out fine! Ellie made sure we had all our documents in order and on time. If all solicitors were doing their jobs as well as she does, clients would have zero headaches!
Ana-Maria
Family calls for lessons to be learned after inquest into death at Royal Papworth Hospital
The family of Luke Barnes, who died nearly three years ago while receiving treatment at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, have called for urgent improvements to patient safety, transparency, and incident investigation following the conclusion of an inquest into his death.
People Focus: Eleanor Robinson – Wills and Probate
Meet Eleanor Robinson, Managing Associate Solicitor in the Wills and Probate department based at our West Bridgford office. She tells us why she chose to follow a career in law and what makes Rothera Bray different to other law firms.
Nottingham Attacks Inquiry begins
The long‑awaited Inquiry into the Nottingham Attacks officially began today at Mary Ward House in Central London. After months of campaigning by victims, families, and legal representatives, the first day of proceedings marks a pivotal moment in the search for answers surrounding the tragic events that shocked the city of Nottingham.
Calls grow for a public inquiry into DES scandal
Personal injury lawyers Greg Almond and Karina Patel discuss the growing calls for a public enquiry into the prescribing of diethylstilbestrol (DES) to pregnant women.
Employment Rights Act 2025: key changes from April 2026
The much-debated Employment Rights Act 2025 finally passed in December 2025, and a number of employment law changes are expected over the next two years.
Can I change my employees’ place of work?
It’s common for businesses to relocate their offices or change work locations. While some employees may find a new location more convenient or beneficial, others may face disruption to their personal and family lives. Whether a relocation is viewed positively or negatively, it’s important for both employers and employees to understand the legal framework surrounding such moves.
Meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss the Nottingham Attacks
Nottingham attacks survivor, Wayne Birkett, alongside our Partner and Head of Serious Personal Injury, Greg Almond yesterday met with the Health Secretary to discuss improvements needed to local mental health services. Greg is representing the survivors at the Nottingham Public Inquiry.
A “modern” start – the new template Non-Molestation Order, President’s Guidance January 2026
Gabriella Kent from Rothera Bray’s Family Law team provides comment for legal teams following the publication of the President of the Family Law Division’s new guidance.