2019 winners
See the winners and those highly commended from previous Excellence Awards.
Team awards
Winner
Paul Hastings LLP
Paul Hastings LLP were recognised for working collaboratively on several projects with children's rights charities include the Youth Justice Legal Centre, UNICEF and Coram. Our judges were impressed with their excellent work, and appreciated their effort working in partnership with others, setting an example to the profession leading to beneficial consequences for children's rights.
Highly commended
Legal Advice Centre (University House)
The Legal Advice Centre impressed the judges with their new webcam platform, enabling the provision of welfare benefits and family law advice that focused on remote areas of Devon and Cornwall.
Latham & Watkins
Latham & Watkins impressed the judges with their work with Amnesty International and Save the children UK to produce detailed research on refugee law, enabling the charities to argue a strong case to change the law in support of vulnerable refugee children.
Winner
Fosters Solicitors LLP
Fosters Solicitors LLP impressed the judges with their well-thought out business development strategy, and clear focus on business and client needs. They felt the firm deserved high praise for their ingenuity and excellence in this sphere.
Highly commended
DAC Beachcroft
DAC Beachcroft highlighted a clear need for their services, working with NHS Resolution to produce an advisory video to mitigate the risk of complaints, claims and associated costs. The judges were particularly impressed with the authoritative and empathetic nature of the content, and how useful it had become for their clients.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors have embraced innovation. Our judges were impressed by the way that they delivered a model of working that stretches the traditional legal services delivery, with a compelling service proposition that showed quality and value to their clients, while helping those who are most at risk in society.
Winner
CFG Law
In an exceptionally strong field, the judges thought CFG Law’s ‘Client First Service’ that focuses on the needs and wellbeing of clients who have suffered a catastrophic injury, was innovative and extremely client centric. The judges were impressed with the firm’s holistic approach, and their focus on understanding needs during the whole patient journey.
Highly commended
Bartons Marine Department
Bartons impressed the judges with the lengths they went to understand the world of their clients and their challenges. By creating empathy they experienced a greatly enhanced client service.
Stuart Miller Solicitors
The judges were impressed by Stuart Miller’s adoption of a 24/7 service that delivers greater accessibility, flexibility and improved communication for their clients.
Winner
Sainsbury's Legal Team
Sainsbury’s Legal Team have tackled a full range of diversity strands from many different angles. From training sessions on unconscious bias to creative approaches to recruitment, our judges were impressed with their commitment and the work they were doing to encourage teams and organisations they work with to make similar steps.
Highly commended
Bhatt Murphy
Bhatt Murphy has established an impressive paid placement scheme for students from underrepresented groups. Judges were impressed with their efforts to offer an important first step to becoming a legal aid lawyer, opening doors to those who may not have been able to show necessary work experience otherwise.
Gowling WLG
Gowling WLG impressed judges with their clear and data-driven three-year plan and their outside the box approaches including recruitment, leadership and accountability strategies which are already showing results.
Winner
Young People's Legal Service, Warwickshire Legal Services, Warwickshire County Council
The Young People’s Legal Service were selected for Excellence In-house for their outstanding contribution to society by delivering legal services that help people experiencing significant financial pressure. The judges were impressed that they thought about not just a short-term solution at a lower price but considered the entire legal system.
Highly commended
Telstra
Telstra were highly commended for their “Engage Platform” – a great innovative service which has been incorporated as part of a clear and holistic legal strategy.
JDA Software
JDA Software stood out for their ability to translate the legal function to the rest of their business in a clear and understandable way.
Winner
The International Family Law Group
The International Family Law Group were chosen as winners of Excellence in International Legal Services for their truly international focus in an often challenging area of expertise. Their work on international child abduction impressed the judges, who appreciate it is a big responsibility of huge social consequence. Judges were also impressed by their leading voice in the discussion on the impact of Brexit on international family law.
Highly commended
Zaiwalla & Co LLP
Zaiwalla & Co LLP were highly commended for taking internationalism to the heart of their firm. Through a series of landmark cases, Zaiwalla & Co showcased the strength and independence of the legal system in England and Wales.
Expatriate Law
Expatriate Law were highly commended for demonstrating an impressive internationalisation of their practice area, as well as a diverse body of professionals advising domestic and overseas clients.
Winner
Rusell-Cooke and Lawyers in Charities
Russell-Cooke and Lawyers in Charities were selected for Excellence in Learning & Development because of their collaborative effort in developing a clever, free legal resource for in-house charity lawyers that is easy to access and will be of benefit to charities across the UK.
Highly commended
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP’s flexible learning and development programme, including their leadership academy, has helped them fill skills gaps, promote internally and has shown significant return on investment.
Giles Wilson LLP
Giles Wilson LLP were highly commended for their clear commitment to progression. They showed that investing in staff can create excellence in the workforce while helping individuals transitioning from paralegal, to trainee, to associate.
Winner
RPC
RPC developed and executed a campaign aimed at attracting the right kind of people to join their firm. The judges felt that the style, tone and use of humorous videos set this entry apart and were impressed by the increased employee engagement it had contributed towards.
Highly commended
Harrison Clark Rickerbys LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys successful campaign made solicitors more visible and accessible for clients. A new website with outstanding functionality, rich content and a personal, open feel brought their campaign to life.
Setfords Solicitors
Setfords Solicitors improved client engagement, built trust, and delivered a better return on investment on its digital activities through use of the UK's leading review platform, Trustpilot.
Winner
Morecrofts Solicitors
Morecrofts Solicitors clearly demonstrated commitment to client satisfaction. They have gone above and beyond for their clients to ensure that their wellbeing, and where possible their additional costs, can be looked after by creating support and pointing clients towards free access to the things they need.
Highly commended
Roche Legal
Roche Legal have demonstrated a customer-focused approach to help provide a voice to the most vulnerable in society. Judges were impressed by their commitment to bringing private client issues into the public in a more understandable way, demystifying the legal process and utilising digital opportunities to address some of the issues their clients were experiencing.
Hugh Jones Solicitors
Hugh Jones Solicitors demonstrated high standards in expanding services to support vulnerable clients and their families. Judges were impressed at their approach to offering advice in difficult areas, including welfare benefits and healthcare appeals, and the clear evidence that they value and appreciate their staff.
Winner
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher UK
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher have achieved lasting and dramatic change in an area of significant public importance, by bringing the concerning trend of “upskirting”, a practice of taking photos up someone’s skirt without their consent, into the courts. The judges were especially impressed with the breadth of legal skills used and the ambition of the project – this firm have shown how much can be achieved when solicitors get creative with pro bono.
Highly commended
Arnold & Porter, Covington & Burling, Reed Smith, Ropes & Gray, Shearman & Sterling and Kids in Need of Defense UK (MiCLU hub)
The judges were impressed with the collaboration between these firms to help undocumented children with the right to remain in the UK. The network of pro bono lawyers has worked together and achieved an impressive 100% success rate for applications submitted to the Home Office.
Hogan Lovells International LLP
Hogan Lovells impressed the judges with their needs-led approach to pro bono, building a business case and funding for Lewisham Law Service from a proven need in the area. The work they have done demonstrates the lasting impact that an innovative approach can have.
Winner
Co-op Legal Services
Co-op Legal Services impressed the judges with the way they deployed technology to meet a clearly defined and unmet client need. By digitalising divorce paperwork, utilising content marketing, and implementing technology that aids a more balanced working life for their staff; Co-op Legal Services have created a positive impact for their clients, colleagues and their business.
Highly commended
Hall Smith Whittingham LLP
Hall Smith Whittingham LLP were highly commended for their impressive innovation in the delivery of traditional high street services. Their Home Owner’s Passport helped to reduce completion times and increase transparency for their clients.
Sky Legal
Sky Legal were highly commended for their Legal Front Door project. The judges were impressed with the case study in how large-scale internal legal operations can be transformed using technology.
Winner
Instalaw Solicitors
Instalaw Solicitors have become a very successful firm in a short space of time, already receiving recognition for the work they have achieved in their client care initiatives. Respected and noted in the community for working closely with many charities, Instalaw Solicitors are firmly committed to training their staff and encouraging new law students to join the profession.
Highly commended
Collins Solicitors
Collins Solicitors were highly commended for their instrumental involvement in bringing about the statutory Infected Blood Public Inquiry, looking into how and why thousands of people in the 1970s and 1980s were given infected blood products by the NHS.
Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP
Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP are highly commended for their development and engagement of staff through the firm’s outreach initiatives, especially for EU citizens and LGBT refugees.
Winner
Family Law Partners
Family Law Partners have made real changes to working lives and the industry through their focus on wellbeing and innovation. They display a significant and impressive focus and investment in people and technology, together with a willingness to share with the industry via their independent tech platform.
Highly commended
Winner
Dentons
Over the last year, Dentons have secured a number of complex, high-profile and multi-jurisdictional deals for clients, including the government. By implementing a strategy of creating stronger ties with key clients and developing a robust value proposition and investing to grow market share, Denton’s has sustained revenue growth in the double digits.
Highly commended
Weightmans LLP
Weightmans LLP were highly commended for their modern and forward-thinking strategies that saw them go from strength to strength. The judges were impressed with their focus on innovation, responsible work with the community and corporate social responsibility work.
Leigh Day
Leigh Day was highly commended because of their work on some of the most high-profile legal cases in the UK. Their strength of conviction saw them withstand attacks and remain a firm which will always support the 'David against the Goliath'. The judges were impressed that Leigh Day appeared to go places others fear to tread, demonstrating real courage in serving their clients.
Individual awards
Winner
Harriet Wistrich, of Birnberg Pierce, and the Centre for Women's Justice
Harriet Wistrich used the law to secure accountability for violence against women, as a solicitor and founder of the Centre for Women’s Justice. Her work has included seeking justice for women who had relationships with undercover police officers and leading the action that prevented the release of the ‘black cab rapist’ in 2018.
Highly commended
Carol Storer of Legal Action Group
Carol Storer made a huge contribution to the publicly funded sector in an unprecedentedly difficult economic climate. She has been described as a 'robust and highly effective champion’ for access to justice.
James Brown and Sam Hall of Hall Brown
James Brown and Sam Hall led a campaign to safeguard the pioneering but threatened Family Drug and Alcohol Court, pledging £37,000 over three years. Their extraordinary efforts were not in vain – nearly a year later, the government promised £15 million to keep children out of care.
Winner
Sapna Malik of Leigh Day
Sapna Malik is a prominent human rights lawyer who has run several ground-breaking test cases. She has proven herself to be a model for young lawyers, fighting fearlessly against huge odds. The judges were impressed by her outstanding dedication, commitment and perseverance.
Highly commended
Nusrat Uddin of Wilson Solicitors LLP
Nusrat Uddin impressed the judges with her vital work for survivors of human trafficking and lifechanging work around asylum seekers. She was also awarded a research fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust to compare the UK’s models of support for victims of trafficking to those in other countries.
Jocelyn Cockburn of Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors
Jocelyn Cockburn was highly commended for her work on the landmark ruling in the Supreme Court regarding the human rights of soldiers on the battlefield. She also launched a full and fearless investigation into the death of a child who died from respiratory failure and asthma which may be linked to air pollution, arguing that there has been an arguable failure by the State to comply with its duties under the Convention to protect her right to life.
Winner
Jonathan Andrews of Reed Smith
Jonathan Andrews impressed the judges by not only excelling professionally – managing over 200 cases affecting thousands of clients – but also leading on outstanding work in the disability inclusion field. As a first-year trainee, he co-founded Bauer Media's first-ever D&I forum, and advises clients on diversity, recognising its importance to the profession.
Highly commended
Chrissie Wolfe of Irwin Mitchell
Chrissie Wolfe is highly commended for her work representing clients in a pioneering and challenging area of law. She has also made an impact with her YouTube channel, which aims to help aspiring solicitors break into the profession.
Adam Eagle of Clifford Chance LLP
Adam Eagle, at just two-years qualified, has played a pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape in a post-Brexit world. Adam impressed the judges with his work on nationally significant cases and has developed pioneering legal specialisms.
Winner
Joanne Dalton of MSB Solicitors
Joanne Dalton is a practice manager in the truest sense, her sole contribution to the success of her firm and improvement of its core business functions have been transformative. Our judges were impressed with her practical commitment to championing staff development and progression within the firm. Crucially, she has made diversity and inclusivity instrumental to that aim.
Highly commended
Ian Walker of Family Law and Mediation Limited
Ian Walker has founded and built a thriving firm in a relatively short period of time. His innovative “multiple client point” service impressed the judges.
Linda Hayes of Grayfords
Winner
Chris Fox of Kambi Group PLC
Chris Fox impressed the judges with his demonstration of professionalism and commitment to growth, rebuilding his firm’s governance processes and managing a series of deals worth in excess of £600 million.
Highly commended
Hazel Randall of NHS Digital
Hazel Randall’s inspirational leadership and vision has resulted in a professional, knowledgeable team delivering innovative legal services to NHS Digital.
Anne-Louise Ferguson MBE of NWSSP Legal and Risk Services
Anne-Louise Ferguson’s unique blend of legal knowledge, experience and understanding of the NHS and medical practice has made her a leading expert in her field.
Winner
Tamsin Allen of Bindmans LLP
Tamsin Allen has shown exceptional energy and focus in every area of her work, contributing to her team’s success. Her pioneering work includes successfully defending high-profile whistle-blowers, most notably in the Cambridge Analytica and 'Vote Leave' scandals, having a direct impact on the UK political scene and large numbers of social media users.
Highly commended
Daniel Winterfeldt at Reed Smith
Daniel Winterfeldt was highly commended for his prolific charity work and impressive leadership qualities. The judges were impressed with the work he did to help people from a wide range of disadvantaged backgrounds.
Kayleigh Leonie of Macfarlanes LLP
Kayleigh Leonie has been described as “tenacious and creative” and has applied herself to work which has had an extremely positive social and commercial impact. Through her work in resilience and wellbeing in the profession, she has raised awareness around the issues that junior lawyers often face.
Winner
Ayesha Nayyar of Nayyars Solicitors
Ayesha Nayyar has built a successful practice with remarkably strong growth while still managing to support young apprentices. Innovative in her ability to get her public message out, she has developed a strong brand and built an impressive profile for herself and her firm.
Highly commended
Arun Chauhan of Tenet Compliance & Litigation Ltd
Arun Chauhan’s niche firm provides an accessible route to highly specialised legal advice, and whose work has had a positive impact on access to justice.
Winner
Alison Lobb of Morecrofts Solicitors
Alison Lobb is a leading lawyer who is fully embedded in the legal profession and wider business community in Liverpool. As a managing partner, she has introduced significant policy changes to support gender equality in the workplace. She stands out for her active promotion of women in the profession, and is a true and worthy ambassador for women, her practice and her city.
Highly commended
Sarah Khan-Bashir MBE of SKB Law
Sarah Khan-Bashir has inspired the next generation of lawyers through leading and delivering on community initiatives such as work experience placements and employability schemes.
Lesley Gregory of Memery Crystal LLP
Lesley Gregory has actively promoted female representation in her firm and has helped many aspiring female entrepreneurs through the Women in Business network.
Winner
Lucy Scott-Moncrieff of Scott-Moncrieff Associates Ltd
Lucy Scott-Moncrieff’s work is prolific: she is the House of Lords Commissioner for Standards, the Co-Chair of the Legal Aid and Access to Justice Committee of the International Bar Association, and sits as a Tribunal judge, to mention just a few of her appointments.
She has not only built an extremely successful firm from the ground up but has also built her reputation as a mental health and human rights lawyer, and as a promoter and supporter of the profession and its values. She gives a huge amount of her time to the public and the profession.
