Judith Bromley is Retiring After 33 Years at Russell & Russell
28/04/2023
Russell & Russell’s managing partner and head of the Wills and Probate department Judith Bromley retires at the end of April after almost 33 years at the firm.
Judith joined Russell & Russell back in 1990 as a conveyancer after going to university and law school in Leeds. Once at Russell & Russell, her focus shifted to elder client work, which led to her setting up the firm’s dedicated Wills and Probate department in 2012.
She was made partner in 1994 – the first female partner in Russell & Russell’s history – and has been a full equity partner for 25 years. Judith was appointed joint managing partner in 2010.
Outside of work and her family, Judith’s biggest passions are the work she does as Chair of Bolton’s Hospice, and her role as Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, a title she has held since 2019.
Her achievements were recognised recently when she was named as one of the town’s top leaders at an event to mark the launch of a new book to celebrate “the astonishing women’s movement invented in Bolton”.
The good news is that she will be returning almost immediately as a consultant solicitor in the Elderly Client team and is looking forward to continuing to help clients.
Here, Judith tells us about her time at the firm.
What is your job title and experience?
I am a solicitor and joint managing partner at Russell & Russell until the end of April, after which I will be a consultant solicitor in the Probate and Elderly Client team.
What areas of law do you specialise in?
I specialise in Probate and Elderly Client matters, which covers all aspects of work relating to Wills, Powers of Attorney, Probates, Court of Protection and general advice for the elderly population.
Why did you decide to work in the legal industry?
I always wanted to do a role that helped others and I had a general fascination with the legal world as a child. This, and having a sense of being a little curious about people’s problems, also helped!
When and where did you qualify?
I qualified in 1988 and spent my first two years working in the property team at AFG Law in Bolton before making the move to Russell & Russell in August 1990.
How long have you been at Russell & Russell?
This is my 33rd year. I joined in 1990, was made a junior partner in 1994 and was invited into full equity partnership on 1 May 1998, so I will retire from partnership on my 25th anniversary.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The variety of the department I work in, no two days are ever the same. I also get a great sense of achievement helping a family through bereavement or the loss of capacity of a loved one, knowing the work we do really makes a difference to them.
What do you find most challenging about your job?
There are never enough hours in the day, and the constantly changing legal landscape is not always to the benefit of the clients we serve.
How has the legal industry changed since you started?
Technology has transformed the legal industry beyond belief. When I started, computers were just on the horizon, and the fax machine was the latest high-speed tool!
The pace of change has been constant and makes a 24/7, 365 days-a-year service very achievable, something we have been doing here at Russell & Russell for the last 30-plus years.
Tell us about the work you do with Bolton Hospice.
My greatest passion outside my family is the voluntary role I perform with Bolton Hospice. I have been a board member since 2007 and Chairman of the board since 2014. We are so fortunate here in Bolton to have such a strong, vibrant Hospice, many towns are not as lucky. It is only through the generosity of the people of Bolton that we do as we are a charity which is only 25% government funded.
My role encompasses many aspects, including governance, strategic development, leadership of the group, and active fundraising.
One of my greatest personal achievements outside Russell & Russell was my trek to Everest Base Camp and Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Hospice, and I am looking forward to being able to dedicate more time to it now that I am stepping back from partnership.
What will your work as a consultant for Russell & Russell involve?
I will be going back to my original roots before management of the partnership became so involved and advising clients on all aspects of the department work. I am really looking forward to more active client engagement.
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a solicitor or work in the legal industry?
Choose an area of law that really holds your interest.
Look after your practising certificate and it will provide you with a great career path for life.
Be patient.
And, above all, work as a team. I have been blessed with an amazing team my whole working life, and I could not have achieved what I have without them by my side every step of the way.
Wills and Probate Solicitors
To read more about Judith, please click here. For more information about Russell & Russell’s Wills and Probate department, click here.
Alternatively, if you need to speak to someone about your will, please call 0800 103 2600 or fill in this contact form.