Two lawyers at Maidstone-based Brachers have been promoted.

Andrew Clarke steps up to become a partner at the regional law firm. He has been a member of Brachers' personal injury team for a number of years and has extensive experience in road traffic and workplace accidents, highways cases, psychiatric injury, industrial disease and consumer protection.

He represents defendants in health and safety prosecutions and advises on fatal road traffic accident cases and at inquests representing health trusts, businesses and also bereaved families.

He is a member of the Health and Safety Lawyers' Association and presents talks and seminars on health and safety and risk management topics.

Esther Lee has been promoted to associate in the private client team. She joined Brachers in 2004, having qualified in 2001. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and came top in the country as the Outstanding Student of the Year 2008/09, as well as the Trusts & Estates Accounting Student of the Year 2009. Esther specialises in the administration of estates and inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning for individuals, entrepreneurs and farmers.

Managing partner John Sheath said: "We are delighted to be able to acknowledge their contribution to the firm so far. In Andrew and Esther we have two individuals who are a real asset to the firm."