On the 10th December 2020, Brethertons new offices on 19 South Bar Street, Banbury were officially opened by Banbury Town Mayor, John Colgrave and Brethertons’ CEO, Alison McCormack. Brethertons vacated their Waterperry Court site in 2020 and are now situated on South Bar Street until they further expand into their “forever” home shortly. Details of this to follow.
Whilst awaiting the completion of those, Brethertons has focused on maintaining a strong presence in Banbury as well as their other offices in Rugby and Bicester. Supporting their local communities was paramount to Brethertons staff and the firm wanted to support that in a variety of useful and appropriate ways.
Kim Lehal, a Partner in the Brethertons Family team, represented the charity Reunite in the ground-breaking case of Re G (A Child) (Child Abduction). As well as this High Profile Supreme Court case, the team are also frequently involved in Court of Appeal and High Court cases. Kim is on the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) and Reunite panel and is also a founding member of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association and is particularly recommended for her work in international Child abduction proceedings by the Legal 500.
After the recent tragic events in Afghanistan, Katie Phillips – Senior Associate in the Family Team, quickly took action to gather donations to support the refugees arriving into the UK via Oxfordshire Afghan Aid (OAA) collection. Katie gathered nappies, wipes, toothbrushes, blankets and other essentials and insured these were delivered safely to Brize Norton RAF base along with a cash donation to support those in need.
Brethertons award-winning Family team continued to support clients and domestic abuse charities during the pandemic. This was offered through the highly specialist and experienced Liz Headley, Brethertons in-house counsellor who works closely with vulnerable people during very difficult times in their lives.
As well as focusing on these high-profile cases, Brethertons have also led the way with Community and Charity support. Brethertons ‘Charity of the Year’ is the Air Ambulance, for whom they have continued to raise money throughout the pandemic with events such as virtual dress-up days and social picnics. Simple things that work with the firm’s culture of inclusivity but deliver practical financial support to much loved and worthwhile cases.
Recently, Alison Fitchett and Katie Crane, Senior Associate and Legal Assistant in the Life Changing Injury Team, braved an abseil from the ArcelorMittal Orbit at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, raising over £1500 for the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Research charity. Other Brethertonians were there to support this incredible event and supported their inspiring efforts from a solid place on the ground!
At the height of the pandemic in 2020 Brethertons staff were adapting to new ways of working. During this time individuals such as; Leo Deane – Executive Lawyer in the Conveyancing team, used his free time to give back to the local community. Leo signed up to the local scheme offering to deliver vital prescriptions to vulnerable people unable to leave their homes. He cycled across Banbury making deliveries and supporting those in need.
Amanda Jacober – Chartered Legal Executive in the Family team, recently supported the charity ‘Re:store’ in their opening of ‘Growbaby Northampton’. Re:store support families who are escaping crisis or need vital emotional and practical support for those vulnerable and living in poverty. Amanda supported Re:store by gathering donations of vital items for children. Together with fellow Brethertonians she gathered 11 bags of clothing, toys and shoes to donate to the charity. Pictured is Helen Reed – HR Advisor supporting with the deliveries.
Sarah Horton - Partner in the Wills, Trusts and Probate Team, has recently been supporting the Katharine House ‘Make A Will’ campaign with her team. This is a great opportunity to provide vital support to a local hospice. Brethertons waive their usual fees in place of inviting clients to make a voluntary donation to Katharine House. This provides Katharine House with an immediately realisable benefit and Brethertons know their clients are benefitting from the reassurance that their Will has been completed properly and professionally.
CEO Alison McCormack told us, “Whilst we continue to provide strong legal services to our clients wherever and whenever they need them, we also wanted to make it a priority to give back to local communities and charities in need. We are still present in Banbury town centre, eagerly awaiting the completion of our new “forever” home. We will be sharing the details of that shortly and continue to welcome our clients and their families to our offices in South Bar. We are so proud of our teams and individuals in the firm who have demonstrated, in very practical terms, their continued dedication to corporate social responsibility support of our local community.”
