Brachers law firm celebrates 125 years in business

The firm kicked off celebrations with a launch party on Tuesday (7 January 2020) which was attended by Deputy Vice-President of the Law Society, Stephanie Boyce, as well as current and former staff.

Joanna Worby, Brachers’ Managing Partner, said the firm’s longevity showed its commitment to the region.

“Clients have been at the heart of our business since the firm began and this milestone proves that. From the very beginning, our ethos has always been to put clients at the centre of everything we do, which means we are able to offer a level of service that is efficient, commercial and of high quality all the while having a personal touch, which we believe is paramount.”

“Many law firms have had to adapt to the changing world in order to survive in these challenging times. In order to succeed for 125 years, as a firm, we’ve moved on from being just experts in our field to being trusted advisors, and now we are fully embracing digital transformation by offering our legal services remotely.”

“Our anniversary year gives us the opportunity to give back to the people of Kent who have been so loyal to us. During the year we will be sponsoring community initiatives including the Elmer Elephant art trail which will be held in Maidstone in the summer, and there are plans underway to plant 125 trees across the county.”

As well as valuing its clients, Brachers has always valued having the right staff in place to deliver a high level of service. Today, 64% of Brachers staff have been with the firm for more than five years – up from the national average which shows most people stay with the same employer for 4.5 years.

Joanna is an example of this, having worked for Brachers for 28 years, starting as a trainee solicitor, then qualifying as a litigation specialist, before becoming a Partner in 1999, and changing specialisms to employment in 2006. Her leadership saw the firm launch its own specialist HR consultancy division, Kent HR, in 2013.

Brachers was founded in 1895 by Henry James Bracher who moved to Maidstone when he was appointed Clerk to the Guardian of the Hollingbourne Union, a workhouse based in the area. In 1912 he was joined by his son Guy, who was later killed in the First World War, and Frank Miskin who married one of Henry’s daughters.

Brachers took its name from these first three partners, Bracher, Son & Miskin and for the first 70 years, the partners were drawn solely from the Bracher, Miskin and Brown families. In 1987 the name was changed to Brachers.

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