SLS LEGAL AWARDS 2022

EVENTS

SLS LEGAL AWARDS 2022

A SPECIAL FEATURE CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF SURREY LAW SOCIETY MEMBERS

SLS LEGAL AWARDS 2022 - THE RESULTS ARE IN!

On the 22nd September, the very best of Surrey’s legal community once again came together to celebrate the outstanding work of Surrey Law Society members, at the prestigious SLS Legal Awards, this year sponsored by Headline Sponsor Actionstep. Held for its 4th year at the Mandolay Hotel, Guildford, guests were treated to a fantastic evening of dining, celebration, entertainment and fun.

The evening began with a welcome drinks reception, sponsored by long-term SLS patron, Evelyn Partners, where guests could pose for photos in front of our fabulous balloon banner, whilst being entertained by a close-up magician. The magic continued throughout a delicious dinner, which commenced with a welcome SLS President Madeleine Beresford, as well as an introduction to her chosen charity for the year, The Samson Centre. Those in attendance were then treated to a thoroughly enjoyable after-dinner speech by our special guest speaker, barrister-turned-entertainer, Clive Anderson, who had guests in hysterics, particularly when reminiscing about his ill-fated interview with the Bee Gees. The evening also included, for the first time, a casino and jazz band after the Awards had taken place, where guests could enjoy drinks and music whilst trying their luck on the blackjack and roulette tables.

This year’s Awards saw 40 finalists represented across 10 categories, more than ever before, highlighting the exceptional work that SLS members have been carrying out over the past 12 months. Our shortlisters and judging panel were again faced with the impossible task of selecting the winners of each category, and the Society is extremely grateful to them for giving up their valuable time for this. They were George Coates (Guildford Chambers), Veronica Gilmour (Pennington Manches Cooper, Surrey Resolution), David Green (Edwin Coe), John Hyde (The Legal Gazette), Rita Leat (The Institute of Paralegals), John-Paul MacNamara (City Law School, 33 Beford Row), Neil Partridge (PDA Limited), Beth Quinn (The Law Society), Sarah Pooley (University of Law), Neil Rose (Legal Futures), Lubna Shuja (The Law Society) and David Steed (Law Society Council, Harold Bell Infields)

We were delighted to offer congratulations to all our very worthy finalists, but in particular to our winners and highly commended nominees, who were:

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

Winner: Nichols Marcy Dawson

Dawn Lawson commented: “Team NMD are absolutely delighted to have been crowned winner of the SLS Legal Awards 2022, Law Firm of the Year. The smiles on the faces of that part of the team which was able to attend speak for themselves. Given the class of competition (not to mention the David and Goliath element given the other shortlisted firms) the award reflects the determination and efforts of the entire team which has not only seen us through the toughest couple of years but enabled us to grow and excel in the most trying circumstances. To say the team came together and supported one another is an understatement. Everyone has been buoyed up by the accolade and the feedback received from clients as a result. Thank you to SLS for hosting and presenting another wonderful awards evening”.

Highly Commended Nominee: Rosewood Solicitors

Law Firm of the Year: Nichol Marcy Dawson with Oliver Tromp (Actionstep).

LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Emma Patel, Rosewood Solicitors

Emma commented: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this award. Whilst this is an individual award, it is recognition of the work done not only by me but by the amazing people around me. The work we do is of upmost importance, and it is often done quietly and diligently. It is therefore vital that this wonderful work is recognised through the nomination of outstanding lawyers for such an award. I couldn’t be prouder of how we, as a team, have worked together to help our clients. I went into Law to help people and I shall continue to work hard to do so”.

Highly Commended Nominee: Jade Quirke, Russell-Cooke LLP

Lawyer of the Year, Emma Patel (Rosewood Solicitors) with Jovan Maric (Square Daisy).

DISPUTE RESOLUTION LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Scott Taylor, Moore Barlow LLP

Scott commented: “It is a privilege to be part of the Surrey Law Society Awards and this particular award reflects the hard work of all of the Dispute Resolution team at Moore Barlow. The SLS Awards showcase the standout lawyers and firms across Surrey and reflects the excellent work being performed in the region”.

Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year: Scott Taylor (Moore Barlow) with Gary Shaw (Tower Street Finance).

EMPLOYMENT LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Abigail Maino, DMH Stallard LLP

Abigail commented: “I am delighted to have won Employment Lawyer of the Year, 2022. The Surrey Law Society Legal Awards attract a high calibre of applicants and to be recognised amongst such talent is a huge honour”.

Employment Lawyer of the Year Winner, Abigail Maino (DMH Stallard) with Julie Arnold (My New Venture).

FAMILY LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Victoria Clarke, Elite Law Solicitors

Victoria commented: “The Surrey Law Society Awards are a fantastic opportunity to celebrate being part of the Surrey legal community. It enables us to recognise our peers for their achievements, as well as enjoy a great night out. As a winner of Family Lawyer of the Year, it gives me a great deal of pride in feeling recognised by the local community as well as giving me the opportunity to let clients know that they are putting their faith in the right person. I would encourage everyone to enter nominations and wish the future nominees of 2023 the best of luck”.

Highly Commended Nominee: Lauren Hall, Russell-Cooke

Family Lawyer of the Year: Victoria Clarke (Elite Law Solicitors) with Rod Milne (Evelyn Partners).

PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR

Winner: Deanna Stephenson, Russell-Cooke LLP

Deanna commented: “The whole evening was lovely from start to finish and I was extremely grateful to have received the award for Paralegal of the Year 2022. However, I must say that the highlight of my evening was when the award was announced and hearing the lovely things that were said about me and my commitment to the law and my community. I was really taken back by the extremely kind words. I think the award is a great way to encourage more individuals to become Paralegals, whether that be as a career or a stepping stone to becoming a lawyer. In a career field that is so busy and often chaotic, I think the award is a lovely way to momentarily highlight the contribution of support staff within law, who are sometimes otherwise forgotten”.

Paralegal of the Year: Deanna Stephenson (Russell Cooke) with Suzanne Kelly (Guildford Chambers).

PRIVATE CLIENT LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Caroline Foulger, TWM Solicitors

Jamie Bell, Managing Partner of TWM Solicitors, commented: “This is a fantastic achievement for Caroline. This firm and our clients have known for many years the exceptional quality of Caroline’s work and her commitment to client service, and of our Private Client team which prides itself on providing a genuinely personal service for individuals and their families, advising clients on a range of complex private wealth work. I am delighted that the quality of Caroline’s expertise and advice has been recognised by the industry in winning this prestigious award”.

Highly Commended Nominee: Julie Man, Russell-Cooke LLP

Private Client Lawyer of the Year: Anne Fowler accepting the award on behalf of Caroline Foulger (TWM Solicitors) with Mandy Brown (LawSure Insurance).

PROPERTY LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Charles Hylton-Potts, Peacock & Co Solicitors

Charles commented: “It feels fantastic to be awarded Property Lawyer of the Year. As well as the recognition, it will help promote both the firm’s and my personal brands”.

Property Lawyer of the Year: Charles Hylton-Potts (Peacock & Co Solicitors) with Philip Hill (Landmark Information Group).

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Winner: Amber Matheson, DMH Stallard LLP

Amber commented: “I am absolutely delighted to win Rising Star of the Year and was privileged to be shortlisted amongst some fantastic budding lawyers. I have, like my fellow nominees, made great sacrifices to try and help the next generation of lawyers and have put a lot of effort into the Surrey legal community. It was great to receive recognition for my efforts and to enjoy a fantastic evening of celebrations. My parents are pretty proud too! I really encourage junior lawyers to consider the awards next year and would be happy to answer any questions directly on LinkedIn”.

Highly Commended Nominee: Seema Gill, Howell-Jones LLP

Rising Star of the Year: Amber Matheson (DMH Stallard) with Richard Prynne (Chantries & Pewleys).

SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Winner: Rebecca Carry, Peacock & Co Solicitors

Rebecca commented: “It was such an honour to win the award and felt so reassuring to have the recognition, not just from my peers, but the Surrey Law Society too. I would definitely recommend other people get involved and nominate their colleagues as it is a real show of appreciation to even be nominated and a really good fundraiser too”.

Highly Commended Nominee:

Ashley Burrow, Meadows Ryan

Support Team Member of the Year: Rebecca Carry (Peacock & Co Solicitors) with Chris Pearce (Conscious Solutions).

You can see some comments from our winners next to their pictures, which shows how welcome the nominations and subsequent awards were. To view the whole gallery of images from the event, and our Awards video, please visit the SLS Legal Awards website:

awards.surreylawsociety.org.uk

As well as the celebrations, we took the opportunity to raise money for the President’s chosen charity, the Samson Centre, a local run organisation focused on helping people with MS live the best life they can, by keeping well physically and mentally. Attendees were invited to bid on a wide range of prestigious lots in our silent auction or make donations to the charity and we are delighted to have raised over £4,000 for the Samson Centre, over double our previous highest amount, so thank you for your exceptional generosity.

Headline Sponsor & Sponsor of the Law Firm of the Year Award: Actionstep

Drinks Reception Sponsor & Sponsor of Family Lawyer of the Year Award: Evelyn Partners

Entertainment Sponsor & Sponsor of the Lawyer of the Year Award: Square Daisy

Sponsor of the Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year Award: Tower Street Finance

Sponsor of the Employment Lawyer of the Year Award: My New Venture

Sponsor of the Paralegal of the Year Award: Guildford Chambers

Sponsor of the Private Client Lawyer of the Year Award: LawSure Insurance

Sponsor of the Property Lawyer of the Year Award: Landmark Information

Sponsor of the Rising Star of the Year Award: Chantries & Pewleys

Sponsor of the Support Team Member of the Year Award: Conscious Solutions

We very much hope that you get involved in our 2023 Awards programme, the categories will be announced in the coming months, so be sure to start thinking about who you might like to nominate! ■