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Latest News
New Offices - A Family Affair!
[21/03/05]
Arachne: Nippy Networking
[17/03/05]
'We're behind you!'
[15/12/04]
Business Woman of the Year
[9/12/04]
Two Partner Promotions
[1/11/04]
The Golf at Frinton
[14/10/04]
Ellisons Launch Arachne
[1/10/04]
Ellisons sponsor Frinton cricket
[28/07/04]
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21.03.2005 - Ellisons takes on more office space and makes it a Family affair!
Ellisons founded in 1750, is one of the East Anglia's longest established firms of solicitors. But occupying the historic Headgate Court, the former King's Head inn and the site of the Royalist surrender on 27 August 1648 which brought to an end the Siege of Colchester, does have its limitations. Quite simply, this thriving law firm has run out of space.
The Firm's "shop front" building, formerly occupied by British Gas, was acquired in 2001 providing space for the newly expanded residential property team. However only 4 years later, the partners found themselves under further pressure to find more accommodation for the growing firm.
Happily just a matter of yards away there was a solution in the form of 39a Head Street, with 2250 square feet of office accommodation, which meets to perfection the needs of Head of Family Patsy Phillips, Partner Jon Armstrong and the team of 6 Family lawyers.
Celebrating with her team with a bucks fizz breakfast, on the first day in the new offices, Patsy explains why she is happy to have her own space:
"The Firm has a wide range of commercial and private individual clients. In Family we are dealing with the sensitive issues of marriage break-ups and disputes over children. Our clients are often in an emotional state and we believe it will be beneficial for them to meet with us in the quieter surroundings of our new annexed offices. We look forward to making the space work for our clients and us."
Because of the close proximity of the new office space to Headgate Court, contact details for the Family department will remain the same and clients will be initially greeted at the main Head Street reception
17.03.2005 - Arachne: Nippy Networking event
Arachne, the networking forum aimed at women in business in the region and formed by Ellisons Solicitors in the Autumn of last year, held a "Nippy Networking" evening at Ellisons' offices in Head Street last night
Some 25 Arachne members enjoyed the Ellisons' alternative to speed dating as they changed "partners" on the ring of a bell, taking on the challenge of getting to know someone new and introducing themselves in less than three minutes. After an exhausting and very lively hour of talk, members relaxed and mingled without the bell over a glass of wine and a delicious buffet supper.
As Jayne Scott, employment expert at Ellisons and Joint Secretary of Arachne explains:
"The idea of having an "alternative to speed dating" was a result of a number of members' comments that they would appreciate more opportunity to meet and talk with guests that they don't know or at least don't know very well. It is certainly one of Arachne's networking aims to extend each member's number of contacts in the local business community and to have fun whilst making new friends. By literally forcing people into ever-changing three minute discussions, we can truly say that everyone got the chance to meet someone new."
Businesswomen in the Colchester area can apply to join Arachne by visiting Arachne on the Ellisons website www.ellisonslegal.com where there is an online membership form.
For further information contact Teresa Harman 07770 425068 or email her at Teresa.Harman@ellisonslegal.com
15.12.2004 - "We're behind you!"
Ellisons Solicitors work with the Mercury to promote Christmas panto
Christmas shoppers in Colchester's Head Street may be surprised to see that the "Shop Front" of Ellisons Solicitors has a seasonal theme….but we are not talking tinsel.
Instead of posters promoting Personal Injury Claims advice and how to make Employment Law work for you, the local law firm has entered into the festive spirit and joined forces with the Mercury Theatre to promote their panto Aladdin.
Ellisons' partner Guy Longhurst explains:
"We have a superb location on a busy shopping street which is perfect for promotional purposes. However, we recognise that legal services are perhaps not the most eye catching content and that we could do more to create "curb appeal". We have been a Corporate Community sponsor of the Mercury Theatre for many years and were looking for ways of supporting the theatre practically as well as financially. Giving the Mercury our window for the Christmas period was a winning decision for all involved. We have a festive look to our shop front; the Mercury has a high street position for some promotional posters."
The Aladdin themed window display will stay up for the run of the pantomime and Ellisons intend it to be the first of many themed window displays.
09.12.2004 - Arachne Wine Tasting - as Ellisons Celebrate Business Woman of the Year
Arachne, the networking forum aimed at women in business in the region and formed by Ellisons Solicitors earlier this year, held a Christmas Wine Tasting on 9 December.
The event also celebrated the Business Woman of the Year Award, sponsored by Ellisons Solicitors and recently won by Marie Partner, Chief Executive of Colchester United Football Club.
Marie and four of the other five finalists joined the team from Ellisons Solicitors and thirty Arachne members to listen to Tim Ferguson of Promotion Wine talk about some of the wines he recommends to complement the seasonal fare.
Marie and the four finalists present - Linda Furnell of Body & Sole; Kath Wood of firstsite; Sheree Wymer of Softview Conservatories and Sharon Searle of Pulse Promotions - were also presented with a bottle of champagne by Patsy Phillips, partner and Head of the Family practice at Ellisons Solicitors. The fifth finalist, Yvette Mayhew of Nayland Care, was unable to attend.
Patsy, who had been one of the four judges for the Business Woman Award congratulated the finalists on the extremely high standard of this year's competition:
"We were delighted to see a strong entrepreneurial showing as well as representatives from established businesses, the arts and sport. The decision was difficult but I'm pleased to say unanimous and we congratulate Marie, only one of three female Chief Executives in Football in the country and a very positive role model for women in business in Colchester."
The other three judges of the competition were Yve Newbold, Irene Kettle and Keeley Hogben.
EDITOR'S NOTES
Arachne
Arachne is a networking forum primarily aimed at local businesswomen. Further information can be found on www.ellisonslegal.co.uk/arachne/
The Business Awards
The Judges of Business Woman of the Year Awards were:
Patsy Phillips, partner at Ellisons Solicitors and Head of its Family Department, specialising in divorce and childcare cases
Yve Newbold, a trailblazer for women of her day, held senior posts with major conglomerates, which include IBM, Rank Xerox, Disney and Hanson and as company secretary of Hanson from 1986 to 1995, she was one of the few women board members of a FTSE 100 company.
Irene Kettle, Editor of the Evening Gazette, the best selling newspaper covering North and Mid Essex and the main media supporter of the Awards.
Keely Hogben of Nanna's Nurseries and last year's winner of the Colchester Business Woman of the Year Award
Further information can also be found on the Business Awards website at www.essexbusinessawards.co.uk
1.11.2004 - Ellisons Solicitors strengthens Litigation practice with two partner promotions.
Louise Bland and Edward Powell have been promoted to partner at Ellisons Solicitors in Colchester taking the number of partners at this established East Anglian Firm to fourteen.
Louise joined the Firm in 1997 as a trainee solicitor after completing her Law Degree and LPC in Nottingham. Edward joined in 1998 having trained at a firm in Cambridge. Both specialise in litigation, advising on a broad range of dispute resolution for both businesses and individuals.
Head of Litigation Graeme Wallington is delighted with the promotions: “Litigation is an ever expanding and increasingly complex area of law. There will always be the need to find effective and sensible resolutions to disputes whether through the courts or otherwise and so I am happy that we have effectively home grown talent in Louise and Edward to continue to meet our clients' needs in this area."
The promotions come at a time of expansion in other practice areas. Heather Wakefield, a local vicar’s wife, has joined the Commercial Property Department as a solicitor. Private client has been boosted by the recent arrival of solicitor Kay Hunt and probate specialist Sheena Byford.
14.10.2004 - Peter Edmondson is the star of Ellisons Solicitors Golf Day at Frinton
Peter Edmondson of Jaygate Homes was the player of the day at Ellisons Golf Day held at Frinton Golf Course on Friday 8 October 2004. Peter received his Waterford Crystal trophy from Ellisons partner Guy Longhurst and Head of Personal Injury Robert Jones.
Like many firms Ellisons enjoys entertaining clients on the golf course but this year the Ellisons team were also remembering Ron Tudor, the partner who managed the Frinton office for many years and who sadly died earlier this year.
Ellisons Solicitors Frinton Resident Partner Nicky Coates said:
“It seemed appropriate to hold the Golf Day once again at Frinton. We like to think that Ron would have approved.”
Guy Longhurst adds: “And it seems particularly fitting that Peter was the recipient of the Ron Tudor trophy as he knew Ron well and indeed Jaygate Homes have shared the same office building in Frinton as Ellisons for many years.”
Thirty golfers spent the afternoon playing Frinton’s 18 holes and later enjoyed a celebration dinner followed by the prize giving.
09.09.2004 - Ellisons launch Arachne and sponsor the Colchester District Business Awards 2004 -Business Woman of the Year
Ellisons Solicitors is delighted once again to be sponsoring the Colchester District Business Awards - Business Woman of the Year.
Ellisons' strong links with businesses both regionally and in London make sponsorship of the category a natural choice. The award recognises women who have exhibited outstanding business achievement in their field.
The sponsorship complements another initiative by the Essex solicitors to support women in business in the region. They have formed "Arachne" a networking forum that was launched on the evening of 9 September with a party at the Firm's offices in Colchester.
"Arachne" aims to foster a community, which believes in sharing ideas, encourages individuals' professional aspirations and actively supports each other's businesses. The Group will focus on issues and opportunities, of relevance and interest to women in business in the region. Holding educational and social events on a regular basis, the group intends to maintain an informal style. Membership is by invitation only so that the group grows through member referral rather than as a commercial and fee paying entity.
Patsy Philips, Head of the Family department at Ellisons will chair "Arachne" assisted by solicitors Sally Boutell and Jayne Scott. At the evening's launch Patsy explained why the Firm has launched Arachne and sponsored the Business Woman of the Year Award:
"Women most definitely have a strong presence in the Colchester business community but when it comes to business networking very few women seem to have the time or the inclination to participate in the current networking circuits. With Arachne we are aiming to identify events and issues, which are genuinely of interest to this sector of the business community.
We are supporting the Business Woman of the Year Award not only because we believe it complements what we are trying to achieve with Arachne but also because we believe it is important that the contribution women make to business is recognised. At Ellisons we have much greater equality of the sexes than many law firms and so feel that we are a suitable role model to put our brand to this award."
The closing date for entries is Friday 24th September 2004. For an application form please contact Marion O'Connor Event Organiser on 01268 469430
The Awards will be presented at a black tie, presentation dinner dance, Friday 26th November 2004 at Charter Hall, Colchester.
For further information contact Teresa Harman 07770 425068 or email her at Teresa.Harman@ellisonslegal.com
The Business Awards
Further information can also be found on the Business Awards website at www.essexbusinessawards.co.uk
28.07.2004 - Ellisons sponsor Frinton cricket
FORMER Essex and England cricketers Mark Illott and Neil Foster plus Gladstone Small and Steve Marsh are among the star names who will be gracing the Frinton cricket ground on August 1 when a Frinton Invitation XI take on The Professional Cricketers Association Masters XI.
The match on Sunday August 1 will launch Frinton Cricket Week and is a major date in Frinton Cricket Club’s centenary year celebrations. It will also represent a landmark for the club – it will be the first time the ground has witnessed coloured clothing, sponsored by local solicitors Ellisons, and a white ball in the modern-day style of one-day matches.
Among the other stars names playing for the Masters XI are Jason Ratcliffe, Wasim Khan and Martin McCague. Included in the Frinton team is the former Essex pace bowler, Don Topley.
Frinton Cricket Club Hon Secretary, Paul Edmondson, said: “It should be a superb day for the club and for Frinton. There are just a few tickets still available priced at £40 which includes a sumptuous lunch and tea served in the marquee.”
The day heralds the start of what is set to be a superb week for cricket lovers including a match against the MCC on the Friday. Some days are sold out but there are tickets remaining for the early part of the week.
Tickets can be booked by telephoning Andrew Symonds on 01255 852521.
Archive: Colchester District Business Awards 2003
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