Merger
On 1 October we announced the merger of Rotheras Solicitors LLP and Bray & Bray Solicitors to become Rothera Bray LLP.
Rothera Bray is a merger of two thriving firms coming together as one, committed to our people focused approach as the firm that everyone can grow with.
Clients now benefit from the addition of more locations with Rothera Bray LLP operating from eight offices across three Midlands counties, with offices in Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Beeston, Hinckley, Mapperley, Market Harborough and West Bridgford.
Excellence in Customer Service award win and several award nominations
We were named as finalists for the Team of the Year (Private Client) and the Social Commitment award at the East Midlands Chamber Enterprising Women Awards. Head of Marketing Jo Walchester received nominations for the Charitable Impact award at the Chamber’s Generation Next Awards and Community Champion at the Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards.
In addition to this we were named as finalists for Best Workplace Wellbeing at the Modern Law Private Client Awards and Trainee Solicitor Abagail Clarke was nominated for the Young Achiever of the Year award at the Personal Injury Awards.
We rounded off a fantastic year on the awards circuit by winning the Excellence in Customer Service award at the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards, an award we are incredibly grateful to receive in recognition of our efforts to maintain high standards of customer service and client care, something that is integral to our firm values.
CSR and Charity
The firm has taken part in several initiatives and fundraisers for charity over the past year, including our annual charity golf day in September, which raised over £5,800 for Framework. In addition to this we supported Framework with their Black Friday donation matching appeal which raised their best total to date of £21,600!
In June the firm organised a 5k fun run, with over £800 raised for Nottingham Central Women’s Aid. The firm also played in the Business Fives football tournament in August, with £300 raised for Nottinghamshire Hospice.
The firm has continued to support social justice charity NRG Lawyers throughout 2023 with website and marketing support.
We also support St Mary’s Relief in Need Charity, with Partner Jeremy Allen a trustee of the organisation which provides income for grants to be made to individuals living in Nottingham and local organisations involved in addressing local need. As one of the oldest charities in Nottingham we are delighted to be supporting the administration of such an important cause through the administration of the grants along with the development of a brand and marketing strategy to help move the charity forward in 2024.
Our Charity Committee have organised a number of activities for staff to participate in over the year, including collecting Easter eggs for children at Nottingham and Derby hospitals, a bake-off for Children in Need and most recently collecting selection boxes at our Nottinghamshire offices for Framework, and collecting and donating new toys for the Salvation Army at our Leicestershire offices.
Our Private Client and Contentious Probate teams have partnered with The University of Law’s Will, Trust and Estate Disputes (WTED) advice helpline to provide free legal advice to members of the public whilst also providing valuable experience to the university’s students.
Staff Promotions
In June we had six well deserved promotions, with Employment Law Solicitor Natalie Abbott promoted to Partner, Private Client Solicitor Sarah Soo, Conveyancing Solicitor Lucy Pettitt, Private Client Solicitor James Briggs and Dispute Resolution Solicitor Grant Benskin promoted to Senior Associate, and Family Law Solicitor Rebecca Lister promoted to Associate.
In October we announced an additional three promotions across our Leicestershire offices. Amy Moore became an Associate in our Commercial Property team, Christopher Sweetman an Associate in our Conveyancing team and Richard Woodward was promoted to Senior Associate in our Litigation team.
Additional services
Along with expanding the size of several of our departments as a result of the merger, we offer a number of niche services to our clients including Equine Law. In April we became the official legal partner of British Dressage, providing the highest levels of support to British Dressage members including our legal helpline which offers free legal advice on equine law as well as a range of personal and business matters.
We wish all our clients and contacts a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and look forward to seeing what opportunities 2024 brings!
