Here’s a look back at the key highlights that shaped our journey this year.
Celebrating 200 Years
This year marked the 200th anniversary of our firm’s founding. In 1824, John Wadsworth laid the foundation for what would become Rothera Bray. To commemorate our bicentenary, we hosted a special event at St Mary’s Church on December 12th. The celebration brought together clients, partners, and community members, not only to honour our history but also to raise funds for the St Mary’s Relief Trust.
In conjunction with the celebration, we launched our 200 Deeds That Make a Difference initiative, dedicated to driving positive change in our community. This initiative focuses on reducing homelessness and poverty, championing environmental sustainability, and encouraging social mobility. It also encompasses new charitable commitments, alongside efforts to enhance our internal policies to promote equality, diversity, and staff wellbeing and health.
Merger with Massers
October brought a transformative chapter for Rothera Bray as we merged with the Nottingham-based firm Massers. This merger underscores our ambitious growth strategy, significantly expanding our team and service offerings across the East Midlands. Welcoming all 30 Massers employees into the Rothera Bray family, we gained valuable expertise and leadership to enhance our service delivery. Key members of the Massers team have assumed prominent roles, spearheading developments across various practice areas.
ABS Status
October also saw us transition to an Alternative Business Structure (ABS), unlocking greater flexibility in how we operate and lead. This shift allowed us to promote five non-legal professionals into director roles. Their diverse perspectives and expertise are already proving instrumental in driving innovation and enhancing our operational capabilities.
With the ABS structure, we are better equipped to adapt to the changing legal landscape, ensuring that we can respond to the evolving needs of our clients with greater commercial acumen and technical expertise.
Partnerships and Accreditations
This year, we strengthened our reputation through strategic partnerships and accreditations. In August, we joined the Amputation Foundation’s legal panel, offering our Serious Injury team’s expertise to support amputees and their families. Earlier in the year, we became a legal partner for the British Show Pony Society, providing members with reliable legal advice.
Additionally, we achieved the Women in the Workplace Accreditation, reflecting our commitment to fostering a supportive environment for employees navigating challenges like pregnancy loss and infertility.
Community Impact and Charity Initiatives
Our commitment to giving back has remained steadfast in 2024. We donated £5,000 to Headway in support of its vital work providing essential services to brain injury sufferers across Nottinghamshire, and in memory of a former colleague.
We also participated in several charitable events, including the Nottingham Legal Walk and Derby Business Games. Staff from our Derby office also supported Derby Kids Camp, helping create a space for over 300 deserving children to enjoy a summer retreat.
In tribute to the Paris Olympics, we hosted our very own RB Olympics. Together with our football team’s participation in the Business Fives event, these efforts raised over £950 for the British Heart Foundation, honouring the memory of two former partners.
Growth, Expansion, and Leadership
2024 has been a year of strategic expansion. In May, we launched a new Licensing Law team, bringing over a century of combined expertise to serve clients better. In November, we launched a team dedicated to Mental Capacity and the Court of Protection. December saw the addition of consultant Nicky Calthrop-Owen, who introduced Insolvency and Restructuring services to our repertoire.
Our team has not only grown in capability but also in size. Over the past year, we welcomed an impressive 71 new hires, strengthening our ability to deliver exceptional service across all practice areas. This growth is complemented by several leadership advancements. With multiple promotions, including two new partners, four senior associates, and three associates, as well as eight trainees qualifying as solicitors, our future is in great hands. In addition, our Commercial Property Senior Associate Solicitor Fiona Moore became Chair of Nottinghamshire Law Society’s Property Committee, and Family Law Associate Solicitor Charley Kelly became Chair of Resolution Leicestershire.
We are excited to continue building a dynamic, talented, and diverse team. To explore career opportunities with us, visit our Careers page.
Recognition and Awards
This year, our achievements were celebrated across the legal industry. Our Serious Injury team earned the prestigious Catastrophic Injury Team of the Year award at the Personal Injury Awards, while consultant Julie Walker was named Clinical Negligence Lawyer of the Year. We also won Deal of the Year at the East Midlands Dealmakers Awards for our role in a landmark £10 million transaction.
Additional accolades include commendations at the British Wills and Probate Awards and finalist positions at the East Midlands Chamber Business Awards, the Modern Law Awards, and the Nottinghamshire Law Society Awards. Our CEO, Christina Yardley, has also been named a finalist in two categories at the East Midlands Leadership Awards: Company Leader (101+ employees) and Transformational Leader. These recognitions affirm our commitment to excellence in service, innovation, and community impact.
We wish all our clients and contacts a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We’re excited about the opportunities that 2025 will bring and look forward to continuing our successful collaborations in the coming year.
