John Wadsworth sets up as an Attorney in Fletcher Gate.
Perry Parr and Ford founded.
Maples and McCraith founded.
George Bell Rothera articled to Coroner Browne
Wadsworth and Patchett founded
George Bell Rothera qualified/admitted as a Solicitor
George Bell Rothera appointed Deputy Coroner of Nottingham City
Rothera Bray founded by George Bell Rothera.
Clarke Carter & Rothera established
Watson and Wadsworth founded.
Dowsons founded by Benjamin Dowson at 13 Weekday Cross.
Rothera & Sons formed by George Bell Rothera, Charles Lambert Rothera and Frederick William Rothera
Dowson and Wright formed.
Solicitor Arthur Thomas Ashwell (umpire for Notts County in 1850s at the time Frederick Rothera played) formed a practice with John Johnstone (Ashwell and Johnstone Solicitors) at no. 14 Fletcher Gate. Ashwell and Johnstone Solicitors dissolved in 1889 and Johnstone went on to form his own practice circa 1890s. Ashwell forms a practice with George Tutin.
Frederick William Rothera appointed Deputy Coroner
George Bell Rothera appointed Nottinghamshire Law Society President
John Johnstone amalgamated with Samuel Williams to form Johnstone Williams Solicitors-based at 6 Weekday Cross.
Charles Lambert Rothera appointed Coroner of the city of Nottingham
Wilfred Stewart Rothera qualified
Charles Lambert Rothera appointed Nottinghamshire Law Society President
Ashwell and Tutin Solicitors based at St Peters Gate dissolved.
Arthur Ashwell lends money to Ernest Terah Hooley, going bankrupt in 1911 after taking liabilities on Hooley’s behalf.
Young and Pearce Solicitors formed by RA Young and Frederick Pearce Snr.
Watson, Crewdson and Wadsworth formed
Frederic Wadsworth (son of John Wadsworth), principal of Watson, Crewdson and Wadsworth, dies
Anthony Rothera is articled to his father Wilfred Stewart Rothera’s firm
Wilfred Stewart Rothera appointed Coroner
Anthony Rothera qualified
Nurse Waddingham inquest case held; Wilfred Stewart Rothera Coroner of case
Sir Hubert Dowson appointed President of national Law Society
German and Soar established by Clive German and Arthur Soar.
Wilfred Stewart Rothera appointed Nottinghamshire Law Society President
Enfield and Co incorporated into Dowsons.
Dowson, Wadsworth and Co formed.
Johnstone Williams Walker Solicitors formed (John Johnstone had died and Samuel Williams and Clifford Sydney Walker were partners)
Anthony Rothera appointed Coroner
Charles Anthony Sharp becomes a partner.
Rothera Sons and Langham forms, based at 24 Friar Lane, Nottingham
Beeston office of German and Soar opens.
Firm becomes Johnstone, Sharp and Walker Solicitors.
Beeston branch of German and Soar moves to 103-105 High Road.
RW Hall and Co founded.
Anthony Rothera appointed Nottinghamshire Law Society President
Clifford Sydney Walker retired and son Clifford Arthur Walker became a partner.
Ian Rothera articled to Rothera Sons & Langham (qualifies in 1973)
Rothera Sons & Langham act for 3 Nottingham Police Officers (Raymond Whitney, Barry Hulse and Ronald Stevenson) charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice relating to the authenticity of tape recordings as evidence following an enquiry by the News of the World
Peter Franklin Gordon Johnstone joins firm.
Long Eaton and West Bridgford (under name of Johnstone Sharp & Wood) offices open.
Rothera Bray formed by merger of Rothera Sons & Langham with Perry Parr & Ford, Maples & McCraith and RW Hall & Co
The grandson of Herbert Johnstone took over the firms of Turpin and Walker (not related to Clifford Walker) and Martin and Sons.
Johnstone Sharp and Walker office at Arnold opens.
Firm becomes Sharp and Partners.
Young and Pearce open office in Burton Joyce.
Sharp and Partners Calverton office opens.
Office opens at West Bridgford (under Johnstone Sharp & Wood, Rossell House, Tudor Square until 1992)
Ian Rothera becomes Deputy Coroner and is the 6th member of the Rothera family to hold the position of Coroner or Deputy Coroner for the city
Anthony Rothera (great grandson of George Bell Rothera) made Britain’s first honorary coroner
Wollaton office of German and Soar opens.
Dowson, Wadsworth and Sellers merge with JH Husbands and Son at Rectory Road West Bridgford office, known as Dowson, Wadsworth & Sellers with JH Husbands & Son
Rothera Bray move into 2 Kayes Walk.
Ian Rothera holds Inquest as Deputy Coroner into the deaths of 3 Miners killed in the Bilsthorpe Pit Disaster
Nottingham office of Tallents Godfrey and Co, incorporated into Young and Pearce.
Gillespie and Co. incorporated.
Rothera Dowson formed.
Amy Rothera articled to Rothera Dowson
German and Soar incorporated into Rothera Dowson.
Amy Rothera qualifies, becoming the 6th generation of Rothera family in the firm
Sharp and Partners merges with Young and Pearce to become Sharp Young & Pearce.
Rothera Dowson and Sharp Young & Pearce merge to form Rothera Sharp.
Rothera Sharp rebrands to Rothera Bray
Rothera Bray acquires JH Powell & Co and opens its first office in Derby
Rotheras Solicitors LLP and Leicester based Bray & Bray Solicitors merge in October 2023 to form Rothera Bray Solicitors LLP. Creating a 200-strong team across three counties in the East Midlands with eight offices in: Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Beeston, Hinckley, Mapperley, Market Harborough and West Bridgford.
The Rothera Bray name is synonymous with history, culture and prestige. Our roots can be traced back as far as 1824 and in that near 200 years, we have constantly excelled in serving the community with a level of service and expertise unparalleled anywhere else. We’re proud of our heritage, but are also focused on our future. Our values are not just held by the firm, but by each and every person who comes to work here.
Images reproduced by kind permission of Nottingham Local Studies Library, Angel Row, Nottingham and Andy Nicholson of www.nottshistory.org.uk