Two long-standing East Midlands solicitor firms have announced a merger creating a leading legal powerhouse with diverse specialisms in the region. Nottingham-based Rotheras Solicitors LLP and Leicester-based Bray & Bray Solicitors will be merging as of 1 October, becoming Rothera Bray LLP.
The merger will entail all existing partners and staff of Bray & Bray and Rotheras Solicitors, joining together to create a 200-strong team with 27 partners, and all clients of both firms will come under the new LLP.
Employees will continue to operate from all existing offices with an enhanced service offering across a greater geographical range. The addition of new resources and capabilities will provide the highest quality expertise for all clients.
Born from a total synergy in ethos and values that paved the way to the firms coming together, the Rothera Bray merger is an alignment of mutual ambition with a shared vision to be the firm that everyone can grow with.
With strong cultural compatibility, both firms share foundations dating back to the 1800’s and are proud of their long-standing heritage. Rotheras has always maintained a strong reputation for private client services, and with Bray and Bray’s corporate and commercial expertise, both firms operate with core strengths that complement each other’s and are similarly aligned in practice areas.
Clients will benefit from the addition of more locations with Rothera Bray LLP operating from eight offices across three Midlands counties. These include five existing Rotheras offices in The Lace Market, West Bridgford, Beeston, Mapperley and Derby, along with three Bray & Bray offices in Leicester, Market Harborough, and Hinckley.
Both firms worked separately with Ortus Group prior to the merger. The relationship with Bray and Bray goes back many years, while we got know Rotheras more recently from representing JH Powell in Derby on their sale to Rotheras.
Colin White, Founder and Managing Director of Ortus Group said: “Having known Bray & Bray for such a long time and latterly getting to know Rotheras, I recognise two firms as being culturally so aligned that I had to explore the feasibility of introducing them to one another. Their complementary strengths together with what I knew about their ambitions meant I was confident they would become greater than the sum of their parts and I am delighted to have played a role in creating this new firm”.
Christina Yardley, CEO at Rotheras Solicitors, said: “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. As well as expanding our geographical reach and the breadth of expertise we can offer to clients we are proud to become one of the top 200 UK law firms by revenue for the first time. Colin is a great person to collaborate with, not only does he have an excellent insight into the market, but he is able to spot opportunities that fit culture and take businesses forward in a purpose-led way”.
Tim Gladdle, senior partner at Bray & Bray said: “The merger is an excellent opportunity for us to expand the expertise within our teams whilst growing and developing our offering to clients across the East Midlands and nationally. Both of our firms have a long history in Leicester, Nottingham, and Derby, and we have found a natural symmetry in our goal to serve our clients with integrity and excellence. We look forward to aligning our approach and values in a merger that will strengthen our market offering which will benefit from new technologies that will streamline processes and infrastructure, adding further value to our client experience.”