The obligatory covers band is a staple feature of the after-party at legal awards dos, and this week’s Manchester shindig was no different.

But for the lawyers filling the dancefloor at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on Thursday, there were some familiar faces on stage knocking out Mr Brightside and the rest.

The house band, Stolen Mojos, was co-founded by Chris Ross, a corporate partner and head of the Manchester office at Mills & Reeve. He was joined on lead vocals by Jana Harmitt-Read, who is based in the firm’s Leeds office.

The band was started in 1997 and has been going strong ever since, albeit with various line-ups. It has even played the Mills & Reeve Christmas party, partner conference and staff away day.

This particular gig was also something of a full-circle moment, as the band had played the Palace Hotel – as it was then called – back in 2001 for a trainee solicitors’ Christmas ball.

Obiter hopes it won’t take another 25 years to get booked for the same venue. And having heard them play, we can attest they put on a cracking show.

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