Solicitor of the Year - In-house 2012

Winner

Paul Heron, Hackney Community Law Centre
Paul Heron joined Hackney Community Law Centre in 2010. He specialises in advising marginalised people who will not use mainstream services. His clients include 'failed asylum seekers', teenagers under the Children's Act and victims of domestic violence and slavery.

Highly commended

Carolyn Osbourne, Streetwise Community Law Centre
Carolyn Osbourne, an active campaigner and leading education lawyer, works to improve access to education for children. Her work has led to academy schools becoming subject to the same level of public law scrutiny as maintained schools, and a lowered bar for evidence for SEN assessments.

Shortlisted

David Ashogbon, Shepway Citizens Advice Bureau
David Ashogbon has been nominated for his work with vulnerable people, helping to prevent them from becoming homeless and assisting in mortgage repossessions. His nomination stems from his outstanding work in a particular case involving mortgage fraud, which helped a client secure her home after being taken advantage of by her family.

Jonathan Green, Royal College of Nursing
Jonathan Green has been nominated for his vision and tenacity, which has seen his team take on many issues that affect members of the Royal College of Nursing. His team provides a vital service to its nurse members, many of whom are low paid and would struggle to find quality representation elsewhere.

Roger Hirons, Sinclair Knight Merz
Roger Hirons' contribution to his company's strategic direction in the area of risk management and global growth is highly valued. In addition to his work on company acquisitions and development of sound risk practices, his dedication to the consulting engineering industry and to mentoring young lawyers shines through in his nomination.

Geoff Wild, Kent County Council
Geoff Wild's nomination stems from the development of an innovative model of collaboration between the private and public sectors for legal services. He has successfully instilled private sector ethos and entrepreneurship as integral aspects of public sector legal services.