Nottinghamshire Law Society AGM 2025

On Tuesday, 13th May 2025, Nottinghamshire Law Society held its Annual General Meeting in the beautifully ornate Old Courtroom at the Dryden Centre, part of Nottingham Trent University. The event welcomed members, Council representatives, and guests for an evening of prize presentations and charity acknowledgements.

The meeting was chaired by President Lauren Crow of MJC Law, who led the proceedings with warmth and professionalism.

After approving the minutes of the 2024 AGM and end of year accounts, presented by Treasurer, Jeremy Allen, we moved onto the outgoing Presidential address and presentations.


Following the presentations of our legal competition winners and the announcement of Kirsten Wood from Rothera Bray LLP as Partner of the Year, we moved on to the charity cheque presentations.

The first cheque was presented to the Rotary Club – Sherwood Sunrisers, the chosen charity of the 2024 John Pearce Quiz champions, The Low Society from Ropewalk Chambers. Representing the Rotary Club, John Bray and Duncan Moffatt attended the AGM to receive a donation of £1,477.00. The John Pearce quiz trophy was also presented the 2025 champions, The Mountweazels from University of Nottingham School of Law team members, Peter Cartwright and Hannah Heilbuth.

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We then turned our attention to the President’s Charity for 2024–2025: Harmless and The Tomorrow Project—a cause that holds deep personal significance for Lauren. This year, Lauren went above and beyond, even taking on a skydive alongside colleagues to help boost fundraising efforts.

Joining her for the cheque presentation were Nick Thompson, Tom Garrett, and charity ambassador Debbi Marlow, with heartfelt words shared by Tom Garrett.

Thanks to their dedication and the generosity of our community, an incredible £11,591.75 was raised in support of this vital charity.

Last year, Immediate Past President Stephen Luke selected Maggie’s as his presidential charity. We were delighted to welcome back Elizabeth Sudbury this year, who shared how the incredible £15,000 raised has made a meaningful impact—helping Maggie’s continue their vital work supporting cancer patients across Nottinghamshire.

Before the official handover of the presidency, there was one final moment of recognition—this time celebrating the sporting spirit within our Society. A special acknowledgement was given to our NLS Cricket Team, who proudly represented the Society in their 2024 fixtures.

Their dedication, teamwork, and enthusiasm brought members together both on and off the pitch, reinforcing the camaraderie and community spirit that sport brings to our profession. Whether it was friendly rivalry or simply enjoying summer evenings together, the cricket matches were a fantastic highlight of the year—and we look forward to building on that momentum in the seasons ahead.

The evening then moved to a significant moment, the Presidential Handover. Outgoing President Lauren Crow had the honour of presenting the President’s Chain of Office to her successor, Marie Dancer of Richard Nelson LLP.

Marie then delivered her inaugural Presidential Address, outlining her vision for the year ahead and sharing her passion for the Society’s continued growth and community impact. Her speech set a positive and inspiring tone for the new term.

Following Marie’s address, we welcomed the newly appointed office holders:

  • Drew Dennis of Knights PLC, stepping into the role of Vice President
  • Alidjana Hoad of ABEC Legal, taking on the position of Deputy Vice President

Together, this new leadership team brings a wealth of experience, energy, and commitment to the Society, and we look forward to the exciting year ahead under their guidance.

Building on the progress made at last year’s AGM, which saw the adoption of our new Articles of Association, this year’s meeting marked another important step forward with the introduction of three new members to Council.

We were delighted to welcome our first two independent Council members:

  • Natalie Haydon-Yeung from Geldards LLP
  • Yasmine Roff from Sills & Betteridge

Joining them was Harriet Pearce, who takes up the role of academic representative from the University of Law.

Their diverse perspectives and expertise will be a valuable addition to Council as we continue to evolve and strengthen the Society’s governance and representation.

We were also pleased to be joined at the AGM by members of the Nottinghamshire Junior Lawyers Division (NJLD). Led by Chair Shannon Mould, the NJLD continues to be a valued supporter of the Society. Their presence and ongoing collaboration reflect the strong spirit of mutual support and partnership that exists between our organisations as we work together to strengthen the legal community.

President Marie Dancer has chosen The Wolfpack Project as her charity for the year.

This Nottinghamshire-based youth organisation is committed to reducing loneliness and supporting positive mental health among young people aged 16 to 35. Their work provides a vital lifeline through connection, community, and mental health support.

We were delighted to welcome Richard Flewitt, CEO of The Wolfpack Project, along with Jennine Fox, to the AGM, where they represented the charity and shared their appreciation for the Society’s support.

The AGM concluded with drinks and canapés, offering the perfect opportunity for members to relax, reconnect, and catch up with colleagues from across the legal community.

We’re already looking ahead to next year—mark your calendars for the next AGM on Tuesday, 12th May 2026!