Berkshire: Gardner Leader law firm grows family division

Gardner Leader has added to its 90-strong team by welcoming a new solicitor to its family division.

Nicola Brocklehurst, who will be based in the Newbury office, will be the ninth member of the Gardner Leader family team, which offers a range of services in areas such as matrimonial matters, divorce and relationship breakdown, and children issues.

Brocklehurst specialises in divorce and relationship breakdown as well as financial divorce settlements and matters relating to children post-separation. She is also skilled in protecting her clients' assets for the future with pre- or post-nuptial agreements or cohabitation agreements.

A familiar face in the firm, she worked for Gardner Leader three years ago as a conveyancing assistant but left after moving to Southampton where she trained and qualified as a family solicitor at Moore Blatch solicitors in Hampshire.

She joins Gardner Leader during an exciting time of growth. The firm, which was shortlisted for Law Firm of the Year in the national Halsbury Legal Awards 2014, has recently expanded after acquiring two local law firms: the probate, conveyancing and litigation teams of Charles Hoile in Newbury, and Health Buckeridge in Maidenhead. These acquisitions have seen Gardner Leader's team increase to 13 partners and over 90 staff with offices in Newbury, Thatcham and Maidenhead and a 19% increase in turnover in a year.

Last year also brought individual success with two solicitors receiving awards. Judith Rountree, associate solicitor in the dispute resolution team, won Young Lawyer of the Year award in the national Lawnet Awards.  Meanwhile Chris Dale, solicitor in the residential property team won silver for Young Conveyancer of the Year Award at the Law Firm Services (LFS)  Conveyancing Awards.

"It's great to be part of the Gardner Leader team once again," Brocklehurst  commented. "Family law is something I love. It gives me a chance to help people through what can often be an emotionally tough and stressful time.  I'm looking forward to continuing my success at Gardner Leader, getting to know all the new faces at the firm and to being part of such an exciting time of growth and expansion."

Managing partner Derek Rodgers said: "Nicola is a hard-working and committed solicitor who works relentlessly to get the right results for her clients. Her clients like her for her friendly, sensitive yet determined approach, while her ability shines through in the way she handles complex cases. It's great to have her back on the team."