The latest promotion round at regional law firm Michelmores has moved it closer to gender parity in its partnership, with women now accounting for 49% of partners.
The new promotions also take the total number of female senior associates to 74%. 
The firm, which recently relocated its expanding Bristol office, created its Women@Michelmores initiative in 2016 to support the development and progression of the women in the firm with a key aim of creating a better gender balance across its partnership.
In 2022 the firm surpassed its target of 30% of women across its partner group. Last year’s promotions took it to 42%, with 67% of women at senior associate level.
Michelmores is committed to actively promoting opportunities for gender parity within its key sectors, including through active involvement in Women in Telecoms and Technology, the Empowering Girls Network, and Inclusive Angels, which focuses on changing the faces of angel investing.
Michelmores managing partner Tim Richards said the firm had made another positive step forward this year towards reaching gender parity within its partnership, but that there was still work to be done. 
“We remain committed to fostering an inclusive culture and one of the ways we can achieve this, is to continue to improve the gender balance across our firm,” he added.
The firm’s two new partners are Nerys Thomas, who works in its tax, trusts & succession team, and commercial & regulatory disputes team member Charlotte Bolton.
Bristol-based Nerys joined the firm in two years ago and advises individuals, families and business owners on a wide range of matters including Wills, Powers Of Attorney, tax planning, trusts and estate administration.
Charlotte, who is based in Michelmores’ London office, joined Michelmores as a trainee in 2012. She specialises in intellectual property disputes, advising on issues relating to trademarks, patents, copyright, designs and confidential information. 
Its newly promoted senior associates include Lisa Benham (disputed wills & estates), Laura Bond (family), Abigail Brown (commercial & regulatory disputes), Philippa Collison (commercial), Katherine Everett-Nunns (agriculture team), Yvonne Farrell (projects & infrastructure), Harriet Grimes (real estate), Kate Higgins (private property & landed estates), Victoria Miller (corporate) and Seema Nanua (agriculture).
Tim Richards added: “I am very proud to announce our new partners and senior associates and congratulate them all on achieving this significant milestone in their career.
“Each colleague has demonstrated their ongoing commitment to the firm, as well as our ambition and values. I look forward to seeing the impact that their drive and energy has at Michelmores.”
Some 22 lawyers have joined the firm’s Bristol office over the past 12 months, bringing to 104 the firm’s total headcount in the city – a 50% increase since the start of 2022.
The new office in 10 Victoria Street, pictured, where it moved to from Broad Quay House on The Centre, has a range of focused working, conference, collaboration and break-out space tailored specifically to the firm’s needs.
In total the firm employs more than 450 people across its network of four offices, which also includes Exeter and Cheltenham.
