Open to the Law Society's Junior Lawyers Division community - student members of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, trainees and solicitors with up to five years’ active post-qualification experience.
Lisa practises in the niche area of continuing healthcare for the elderly. The judges were impressed with the amount of work she has carried out in an area largely neglected by the profession, for encouraging others to get involved in this field of law, using her legal skills to provide assistance and training to others, and for the large amount of pro bono work and mentoring she undertakes.
Gemma is an inquest solicitor who impressed the judges with her commitment to fighting for justice for those who have died in the care of the state, having contributed to securing a number of highly critical verdicts. As well as running her firm's growing inquest department she also undertakes pro bono work for the charitable organisation INQUEST for cases where public funds are not available.
Rizwana works for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council. A creative, capable and pioneering young lawyer, she has been instrumental in the implementation of the Building Schools for the Future education investment and transformation programme. She is setting best practice that will benefit local authorities nationally.
Matthew is a newly qualified solicitor having trained at SJ Berwin LLP. A fluent Chinese speaker, he is co-founder of the China Britain Law Institute, an association promoting Sino-British legal relations. In the last year he has arranged many events including hosting Cherie Booth QC and the Lord Mayor in Beijing.
Laurie works for Cornwall County Council and is an outstanding local government solicitor. Her work includes providing advice in relation to the Cornwall Fire Safety Project which is being rolled out nationally, and expertly dealing with the legal ramifications of the Newquay Cornwall airport closure.
Beth helped to raise over £5,000 for one charity and is setting up another. She persuaded the Law Society to produce a brochure about careers in law to go out to all high schools, acted as negotiator at Halliwells when it was in trouble, and is a carer for her partner.
Amy works for Sheffield City Council. She is an outstanding, innovative and hard working young lawyer who has capably led the council’s internal legal team on Sheffield’s Highway Maintenance PFI Project, the largest ever local government PFI project worth over £2bn.
Amy is a two-year PQE family solicitor who has made a positive contribution to the life of a severely disabled and vulnerable client. Amy’s approach to the case was intuitive, determined and demonstrated lateral legal thinking. Amy deserves credit for her work.