2020 winners
There has never been a more important time to celebrate the hard work, skill and dedication of lawyers in England and Wales, to champion the rule of law and to defend the fundamental right to justice for all. Congratulations to all the firms, teams and individuals who have won an award.
13 October
Winner
DAC Beachcroft
DAC Beachcroft impressed the judges by using their experience in the market to develop inventive digital tools, providing a valuable breach management solution advisory service.
Highly commended
Winslows Tax Law
Winslows Tax Law were highly commended for their innovative approach and solutions-led advice provided to clients around tax planning. The detailed level of content, training and virtual support brought a refreshing change.
Lovetts Solicitors
Lovetts Solicitors’ bespoke dept recovery system has been instrumental in providing services during COVID-19. The firm has been able to maintain client service levels throughout the pandemic, garnering some excellence client feedback.
Winner
JD Spicer Zeb
JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances.
Highly commended
CFG Law
CFG Law won this award last year and have continued to serve vulnerable and seriously injured clients. The judges were particularly impressed with their innovative partnership with the Spinal Injuries Association.
Bolt Burdon
Bolt Burdon were highly commended for their work to promote a ‘people-oriented’ practice and for striving for excellence with the embodiment of their ‘Client Commandments’.
Winner
DAC Beachcroft
DAC Beachcroft stood out for their use of automation to simplify the process and improve the consistency of motor accident insurance outcomes.
Highly commended
Poole Alcock LLP
Poole Alcock LLP have transformed their practice through their use of technology for client-facing tasks. Their involvement of both lawyers and IT experts in the product design process is also notable.
Societe Generale
The judges considered the Societe Generale’s legal department as a great example of a legal team using well-thought-through technological solutions, resulting in more efficient business outcomes.
Winner
Rayden Solicitors
Rayden Solicitors stood out for their consistent use of a creative idea, which the judges felt showed a fun side to the firm and the law.
Highly commended
Slater and Gordon Lawyers
The judges felt that Slater and Gordon Lawyers showed true commitment to investment in the use of data to inform their marketing and communications work.
Paris Smith LLP
Paris Smith LLP impressed with their website analytics and the agility displayed in delivering their marketing campaigns.
Wilson Browne Solicitors
The judges particularly enjoyed the strong visuals of Wilson Browne Solicitors’ marketing campaigns.
Winner
King & Spalding International LLP
King & Spalding International LLP impressed the judges with their approach to learning and development throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, where they launched a bespoke virtual training programme for their employees.
Highly commended
Thrings LLP
The judges were impressed by Thrings LLP’s robust learning and development programme, which creates a clear and supported career progression pathway for their employees.
Dentons LLP
Dentons LLP were highly commended for their research and evidence-based approach to learning and development, transforming the way in which they lead and engage their diverse and multigenerational workforce.
Winner
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance showed a fantastic commitment to embedding diversity and inclusion into their firm’s culture and impressed the judges by launching several data driven initiatives in this area.
Highly commended
The Black Solicitors Network
The Black Solicitors Network were highly commended for their outstanding work in raising awareness, influencing the legal sector and demonstrating effective action for early engagement with future solicitors.
Travers Smith
The judges felt that Travers Smith’s work on its BAME Allyship booklet was a refreshing approach to diversity and inclusion.
Winner
Vivienne Artz, Refinitiv
Vivienne Artz is recognised for her tireless effort in supporting equality, diversity and inclusion, and for continuously pushing for change within her industry.
Highly commended
Helen Lamprell OBE, Vodafone UK
Helen Lamprell OBE is highly commended for using her role as Vodafone UK’s general counsel and external affairs director to drive positive change, both within the business and in society more widely.
Winner
Polly Sweeney of Rook Irwin Sweeney
Polly Sweeney’s recent high-profile campaigning role in litigation to maintain the educational rights of children with special educational needs impressed the judges.
Highly commended
Charles Brasted of Hogan Lovells
The judges would like to recognise Charles Brasted for his exceptional work in a leading role on Hogan Lovells’ Brexit taskforce, where he worked to a high standard not just for his clients, but also in his public-facing work.
Winner
Elizabeth Rimmer, LawCare
She has been forward thinking throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured that LawCare was able to provide adequate resources to members of the profession during these unprecedented times. LawCare looked at issues ranging from loneliness to caring responsibilities and made its resources free for all members.
14 October
Winner
Child Poverty Action Group
Child Poverty Action Group impressed the judges with their outstanding work providing support through training and their free publications to frontline workers tackling child poverty in the UK, and in taking legal action to challenge unjust decisions.
Highly commended
Rights of Women
Rights of Women is highly commended for the launch of its service offering advice to victims of sexual harassment at work. The service helps those who cannot afford lawyers to raise grievances with employers and to bring tribunal claims.
Turpin & Miller LLP
Turpin & Miller LLP were highly commended for their work in facilitating a partnership between two academic institutions at Oxford University and a nearby prison to provide a fortnightly legal advice clinic for foreign nationals facing deportation.
Winner
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer impressed the judges by showing how partnering with NFPs can be effective in understanding the needs of those seeking access to justice.
Highly commended
Brick Court Chambers and Arnold & Porter
The judges felt this was a great example of how the charity Pro Bono Connect can match barristers and solicitors together in a case, demonstrating how members across the profession are willing to donate their time to help those who cannot afford legal advice or representation.
Winner
Matthew Evans, The AIRE Centre
Matthew Evans has helped reshape the law in a broad range of important fields to deliver impact for hundreds of thousands of people.
Highly commended
Milla Walker, Luqmani Thompson & Partners
Milla Walker shows tremendous dedication whilst working on the frontline of a cutting-edge area of law with unique challenges. The judges were particularly impressed with how Milla uses the law to deliver outstanding results in complex cases.
Ahmed Hassan Aydeed, Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Ahmed Hassan Aydeed delivers an impressive range of high-quality work in complex areas of law and has been responsible for a series of cases that have brought about significant change.Winner
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors impressed the judges with their ability to make a significant difference to their clients, and to the profession as a whole, working tirelessly.
Highly commended
Dentons
Dentons stood out for their investment in technology, which the judges saw as a reflection of their ability to look to the future when considering how the firm can support their clients.
Paul Hastings
Paul Hastings’ approach to lateral hires has set them apart when it comes to their ambition and what they’re seeking to do for their clients. Their approach in areas such as innovation and diversity and inclusion are what stood out to the judges.Winner
LCN Legal
Through the production of their guides on transfer pricing compliance, LCN Legal has focused on a clear market and strategy in an international area.
Highly commended
Zaiwalla & Co
Zaiwalla & Co were highly commended for taking cases that raise interesting international legal questions. They remind us that the ability to challenge the status quo is an important part of the English and Welsh legal system.
Winner
Cornerstone
Cornerstone has been a key player in launching several new projects improving mobile connectivity in the UK and facilitating the faster rollout of telecom infrastructure services.
Highly commended
The Zoological Society of London
The in-house team at the Zoological Society of London are highly commended for the incredible support they’ve given to their colleagues, particularly over the last couple of years.
Air Charter Service
The legal team at Air Charter Service has gone above and beyond to support critical transactions affecting human lives in a disaster area.Winner
Wayne Spillett, Vodafone Group
Wayne Spillett has been instrumental in transforming multiple parts of the business he works for and has had a clear impact from both an operations and partner perspective.
Highly commended
Jelena Madir, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
The judges noted Jelena Madir’s ability to excel in a senior leadership role during a time when her institution is effecting major change on the international stage is extremely impressive.
Winner
Sengova Kailondo, Hogan Lovells
Sengova Kailondo impressed the judges with brilliant high-level work as well as dedication to diversity and inclusion. He is an active member of several D&I initiatives, using his time to support and mentor others.
Highly commended
Callum Scott, Nottingham Law School Legal Advice Centre
The judges were extremely impressed by his outstanding dedication to diversity and inclusion, and his significant and positive societal impact whilst working to a high standard.
Richard Burnham, Lee & Thompson LLP
Whilst a trainee, Richard Burnham developed a strong interest in ethics in the legal profession, leading him to co-author a book on ethics for solicitors, which has been published by the SRA.Winner
Jelena Madir, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
She excelled in a senior leadership role at an institution which has played a key role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and launched a number of innovative products for the financing of the COVID-19 vaccine.
15 October
Winner
Tom Bohills, Chronos Law
Tom Bohills impressed the judges with his innovative approach and passion for the law, and highlighted his work to provide pro bono assistance alongside supporting local community groups.
Highly commended
Kem Masinbo-Amobi, KMA Solicitors
Kem Masinbo-Amobi is an accomplished solicitor who has shown creative approaches to running a successful business with an exceptional level of client care.
Arun Chauhan, Tenet Compliance & Litigation
Arun Chauhan has built a hugely successful business with strong client satisfaction and an impressive firm profile, alongside various community projects and pro bono work.Winner
Steve Bradley, Greenhalgh Kerr
Steve Bradley successfully integrated law tech into business operations and implemented a wellbeing programme, which aided in business continuity throughout the COVID-19 lockdown and was highly praised by the judges.
Highly commended
Arun Birla, Paul Hastings
Arun Birla impressed with his significant contribution to the promotion of equality and diversity in the firm and within the profession more widely. Particularly notable is his strong business acumen and impactful leadership.
Winner
Emmersons Solicitors
Emmersons Solicitors impressed the judges with their commitment to public service through extensive work as LGBTQ campaigners and career mentors to young people.
Highly commended
McClure Solicitors
McClure Solicitors is a firm whose innovative free will scheme is at the centre of its operations. They continually challenge the status quo with their unique business model, which creates value for their clients and charitable causes.
Mooneerams
The judges were especially impressed with Mooneerams’ work to give back to the profession and their local community.Winner
Shoosmiths LLP
Shoosmiths LLP has demonstrated a significant contribution to the private client sector. Their online coronavirus hub and virtual mediations conducted throughout lockdown are especially notable.
Highly commended
Barrett and Co Solicitors
Barrett and Co Solicitors are highly commended for their support to their local community, clearly demonstrated by the intitiative to do weekly shops for vulnerable clients during the COVID-19 lockdown and their low fixed-fee advice offer.
Simpson Solicitors
Simpson Solicitors showed great commitment to customer service, particularly during the pandemic. Their decision to create a free wills service for NHS staff is especially commendable.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
The judges were impressed by the firm’s Welsh language service, their wills at work initiative and their service to provide wills for Welsh air ambulance staff.
Winner
Chloe Jay, Shentons Solicitors & Mediators
Chloe Jay has glowing testimonials from her clients confirming that she is held in incredibly high esteem. The judges note that her social impact is “truly inspiring” – from speaking to students about legal careers to campaigning for legal funding, she is an exceptional example of a criminal defence solicitor who is dedicated to her work.
Highly commended
Des Collins, Collins Solicitors
Des Collins is highly commended for his work leading a team working on behalf of over 1,400 clients to secure a public inquiry into what may be one of the worst treatment scandals in NHS history.
Christopher Linton, Wollens
Christopher Linton is highly commended for the active role he plays in his community and his key part in work on behalf of several health charities.
Winner
Collins Solicitors
Collins Solicitors is a firm who have made a significant impact through their work on the Blood Inquiry, which the judges felt made them the most deserving winner.
Highly commended
Hall Brown Family Law
Hall Brown Family Law has shown a serious commitment to the wellbeing of their staff, most clearly demonstrated by their extremely low turnover.
Winner
Naomi Angell, Osbornes Law
Naomi Angell has had an incredibly successful and influential career spanning almost 50 years. Throughout her career, she has shown true dedication to improving the law as it relates to children and families through extensive policy work, lobbying and numerous pro bono initiatives.
Winner
UK Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono
The UK Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono is made up of 60+ law firms who, building on their expertise of previous crises and the importance of working together, shared information and reduced demands on those at the forefront of the pandemic legal need. Firms in the plan also supported and boosted the not-for-profit and legal aid sector's messaging throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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