The last few nights with the large ‘harvest moon’ shining in the sky, tells us Autumn is on its way and we certainly know it in the office as the Autumn calendar unfolds in this bulletin. Let’s find out what’s been happening and what we’ve got to come!
July finished with a very well attended Newark Networking Lunch and excellent PRIDE March. Ann Et Vin opened the summer patio for a well-attended luncheon by legal practitioners from Newark, Lincoln and Sheffield. The next networking lunch is scheduled for Mansfield, in November – bookings are now open. They are a great opportunity to step out of the office and meet your fellow local practitioners.
Our thanks go to our sponsors and supporters of the PRIDE event, Alliance Network, Browne Jacobson for hosting an excellent breakfast start, Gateley Legal, KCH Garden Square and Shoosmiths LLP for sponsoring the 2024 complimentary t-shirts and finally, Eversheds Sutherland and Ropewalk Chambers for providing the much-needed post-walk drinks at The Angel. The whole march showed collaboration and support for equality and inclusion in the Nottinghamshire legal profession.
The Society’s cricket teams stepped out into the summer sunshine for two further cricket matches. The first being the Society’s solicitors versus barristers, a competitive and friendly game, competing for the Radford Cup. Another tight score, that saw the Solicitors team retain the trophy.
The last game of the season was the infamous Battle of the A52, against Derby & District Law Society and I must say, the NLS team stepped out in full force, with some excellent cricket and successfully regaining the coveted shield. Thank you to John Hooper & Co, for sponsoring the new cricket caps and the Society for providing a fab new kit top – the team looked smart and wore their new kit with pride!
As a Society, we thank all those that join us to support all our events, your participation is very important and helps the Society to continue to grow.
I have been out again to meet our member firms, firstly Landsmiths and Practice Manager, Ellen Nightingale, then onto meet Mengwei Hu at Clarendon Law, where I had the most delightful introduction to Chinese afternoon tea, followed by John Hooper and then Sarah Wood at Nelsons Solicitors. These meetings are important because it is at these, we discuss how the Society can help the firms, share what it offers to its members and brings together a closer working legal community. If you would like a visit then please contact me, I would love to hear from you.
Talking of membership benefits, the Society has come together with The Bookcase at Lowdham and their Book Club. Their next season is dedicated to Crime, so a perfect opportunity to expand our literary reading. The first book to share is the Maiden by Kate Foster and I must admit, it is an excellent read.
Other membership benefits obtained have been through Revulcion De Cuba, Copper and the latest one released with Virgin Active. To ensure you are up to date with the membership offers check out the new website page – Membership Benefit Offers.
The calendar has been busy unfolding with the regular events, such as the New Trainee Solicitor & Pupil Barrister Evening and the Cocktails & Competitions Launch Night. This year the Newly Qualified Solicitors & New Tenant Barrister Evening is a dinner at Revolucion De Cuba, all the information can be found on the Society’s website.
In August, President Lauren Crow and I, visited the headquarters of the nominated charity, Harmless. This was an excellent meeting, where we met those that worked at the centre and users of the centre, that had benefited from the support given at a time when suicide affects a family member. On Thursday 7th November, the first charity fundraising event will be held, in the form of a fashion show with Stick & Ribbon at Baresca. The wonderful models on the catwalk that evening are members of the Society, so please come along and give them some support, including the President, Lauren!
To complete the charity cheque presentation with Maggies, I represented the Society and Immediate Past President, Stephen Luke at City Hospital centre. Where with Elizabeth Sudbury, we discussed how the funds raised will help the charity and completed a prize draw for two of the Silent Auction items, that were kindly donated by 36 Group to patients of the centre, a Ferrari drive experience and Fireworks at Burghley House.
With Christmas around the corner, we have the Paul Smith VIP Shopping Night and Christmas Drinks Reception (save the date) in the diary, so don’t forget to put them in yours!
The collaboration of local law societies has seen a new event appear in the way of a Charity Golf Tournament in May 2025 at Northamptonshire Golf Club. This is a joint tournament with Leicestershire Law Society, Derby & District Law Society and Northamptonshire Law Society. More information will be released in the next few months.
As covered in recent bulletins, Nottinghamshire Law Society is working closely with The Law Society of Chancery Lane. On Tuesday 24th September, I will be presenting to plenary sessions at the Annual Conference of Local Law Societies and most recently, we announced the new Private Client Seminar and networking event on Tuesday 23rd October. The seminar begins at 5:30pm and has three key-note presenters discussing ‘The Impact of any budget proposals for Private Client Solicitors’ and is kindly being hosted by Freeths LLP.
I look forward to seeing you at an event during the Autumn months, there is something for everyone, starting with the Real Ale, Gin & Rum Festival this Friday.
Best wishes,
Michelle Foster
Head of Operations
Nottinghamshire Law Society