SLS AWARDS 2023
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n 12th October, 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 Evelyn Partners. For the first time, the event moved to G Live in Guildford, which allowed for many more attendees, and we were pleased to host almost 300 guests on the night, comprising finalists, member firms, sponsors, judges, and guests from some of our counterpart local law societies. The evening began with a welcome drinks reception, sponsored by ReviewSolicitors, where guests could pose for photos either in front of our sponsors backdrop or glitzy photobooth, whilst being entertained by a close-up magician and silhouette artist. The magic continued throughout a delicious dinner, which commenced with a welcome by SLS Interim Co-President Kieran Bowe, as well as an introduction to our chosen charity for the year, The Samson Centre. Those in attendance were then treated to a phenomenal performance by band Django’s Jive and a thoroughly enjoyable after-dinner speech by our special guest speaker, comedian Shaparak Khorsandi. The evening also concluded with a casino and jazz 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 47 finalists represented across 11 categories, more than ever before, with a 22% increase in nominations received this year. 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. The Society paid tribute to David Steed, who has judged the programme since its inception in 2018, and who sadly passed away suddenly a few weeks ago. David was a long-time friend of the Society, past President and valued member, and he will be sadly missed. 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: Russell-Cooke LLP (Highly Commended Nominee: Stevens & Bolton LLP) • Lawyer of the Year: Helen Clifford, Helen Clifford Law (Highly Commended Nominee: Jon Creswick, Howell-Jones LLP) • Employer of the Year: TWM Solicitors LLP • Equality & Diversity Champion: Howell-Jones LLP • Family Law Team of the Year: KGW Family Law • Junior Lawyer of the Year: Charles Mellor, Creighton and Partners 14 | SURREYLAWYER
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Barham, Moore Barlow LLP • Private Client Team of the Year: Howell-Jones LLP • Property Law Team of the Year: Peacock & Co Solicitors (Highly Commended Nominees: Morr & Co LLP and Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP) • Support Team Member of the Year: Diane Algar, Howell-Jones LLP (Highly Commended Nominee: Ashley Burrow, Meadows Ryan Solicitors) • Team of the Year: Howell-Jones Elderly Client & Vulnerable Adult Team You can see some comments from the judges about our winners next to their pictures. 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. The whole evening was a great success and would not have been possible without the incredibly generous support of our sponsors and we therefore must extend our sincere thanks to: Headline Sponsor & Sponsor of the Law Firm of the Year Award: Evelyn Partners Drinks Reception Sponsor & Sponsor of EDI Champion Award: ReviewSolicitors Entertainment Sponsor: Helen Clifford Law Sponsor of the Employer of the Year Award: On Point Data Sponsor of the Family Law Team of the Year Award: Guildford Chambers Sponsor of the Junior Lawyer of the Year Award: Verify 365 Sponsor of the Lawyer of the Year Award: Groundsure Sponsor of the Private Client Team of the Year Award: Southey & Co Sponsor of the Property Law Team of the Year Award: Landmark Information Group Sponsor of the Support Team Member of the Year Award: tmgroup Sponsor of the Team of the Year Award: Actionstep We very much hope that you get involved in our 2024 Awards programme, the categories will be announced in the coming months, so be sure to start thinking about who you might like to nominate! ■
