The exceptional achievements of local Sheffield law firm Unity Law Ltd were recognised by the Law Society at its annual Excellence Awards last night.
After receiving the prestigious award in the category of Excellence in Community Investment, Chris Fry, managing partner of the firm, had to dash from the event at Old Billingsgate in London, which was attended by Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff, BBC Broadcaster Mishal Husain and over 600 legal professionals, after his wife Jackie went into labour following the news of his win.
Chris became a proud father to son, Leo, at 03:40 after driving home to Sheffield through the night.
Unity Law, based in the Fountain Precinct in Sheffield, was presented with their award by Law Society president Lucy Scott-Moncrieff. She said winning a Law Society Excellence Award is a great achievement and brings valuable recognition for individuals and firms.
She added:
'On behalf of the Law Society, I congratulate Chris on the new addition to his family as well as on his firm's award at our Excellence Awards. A lion is represented on the Law Society crest, so it is very fitting that Chris and his wife have chosen to name their son Leo. Perhaps a career as a solicitor beckons for the new member of the Fry family, or even a stint as Law Society president.'
The awards judges were impressed by the Unity's community investment initiatives based on their expertise in supporting the rights of disabled people.
The annual awards recognise the most outstanding legal practitioners in their field and are open to individuals and teams across the entire legal sector. They are designed to recognise best practice and to celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement in areas that are central to the profession today.
The awards highlight innovative business practices, successful approaches to practice management as well as contributions through social responsibility and equality and diversity initiatives.
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Notes to editors:
Photographs of the winners and the Law Society president will be available via www.lawsocietyawards.co.uk from midday.
Download instructions will be available on the website.
Details of the awards and the achievements of the winners and highly commended are available from the press office.
Winners are permitted to use the Excellence Awards logo for one year.
For more information call the Law Society Press Office on 020 7320 5902.