Nottingham law firms launch joint venture

Lace Market-based Rothera Sharp has formed a joint-venture with Nickie Elenor and her team of HR and employment law specialists at Your HR Lawyer to handle its commercial employment law work.

Elenor, who is managing director at The Ropewalk-based practice, has been a consultant for Rothera Sharp for several years – but following a rise in demand for its services, the two firms have launched a closer, more official association.

Elenor said: “We are proud to be part of the Rothera Sharp team and look forward to collaborating with them and helping their clients. This is not a merger because we will remain separate businesses and retain our own identities. Instead, we will be pooling our expertise and resources to make sure local companies get the advice and representation they need.

“Ours is a niche practice and we specialise purely in employment law for employers. Demand for our services has risen sharply recently, largely because employment tribunal fees have been scrapped. It’s now easier for people to lodge a claim against their employer, so we are expecting to see more enquiries from local businesses”.

Rothera Sharp managing partner Ann-Marie Bowman said: “We are pleased to be able to expand our employment law services by consolidating our association with Your HR Lawyer. This exciting move has bolstered our already wide range of commercial services, which include property, buying and selling businesses, shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, terms and conditions of trading, transport and many more.”

Earlier this year, Your HR Lawyer took on associate solicitors Laura Evans and Natalie Spink following strong growth over the past two years.

Rothera Sharp was established in June last year, after the merger of long-standing Nottingham law firms Rothera Dowson and Sharp, Young & Pearce.