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SLS Legal Awards 2023
SLS Legal Awards 2023
On 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
• 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
SLS Legal Awards 2023
A SPECIAL FEATURE CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING WORK OF SURREY LAW SOCIETY MEMBERS
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR:
Winner: Russell-Cooke LLP with Rod Milne (Evelyn Partners)
The judges commented, ‘the firm has combined financial success and client satisfaction with a recognition of its responsibilities to both the next generation of solicitors and its wider community. An exemplar of how a modern law firm should operate and a very worthy winner of the 2023 Law Firm of the Year Award’. Highly Commended Nominee: Stevens & Bolton LLP
LAWYER OF THE YEAR:
Winner: Helen Clifford (Helen Clifford Law) with Andy Crawshaw (Groundsure)
The judges commented, ‘the 2023 Lawyer of the Year has consistently achieved phenomenal results for their clients. They are regarded as an expert personal injury solicitor. They campaign for improved health and safety at work and are a vocal opponent of bullying within the legal profession. A very worthy winner. Highly Commended Nominee: Jon Creswick, Howell-Jones LLP
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY CHAMPION:
Winner: Howell-Jones LLP with Adam Hall (ReviewSolicitors)
The judges commented, ‘this category was introduced to this year’s Awards programme to recognise an individual, team or firm who have made a significant contribution to diversity within and across the legal profession over the past three years. The winning firm has shown great commitment to ensuring that all staff feel valued and are a shining beacon of what equality and diversity looks like in practice’.
EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR:
Winner: TWM Solicitors LLP with Kevin Johnson (On Point Data)
The judges commented, ‘a strongly contested category, with nominations received from all the shortlisted firms demonstrating so clearly why they are employers of choice in Surrey. The winning firm were able to demonstrate commitment and best practice by way of a wide range of evidence including a suite of policies and should be rewarded for creating a place where people really want to work’.
JUNIOR LAWYER OF THE YEAR:
Winner: Peacock & Co Solicitors with Allie Parsons (Landmark Information Group)
The judges commented, ‘demonstrating a flair for collaboration between its specialist teams, the firm has delivered praiseworthy outcomes for a diverse portfolio of clients; not infrequently in complex matters and issues. The resulting feedback from clients, delighted with the service that the firm has provided, is nothing short of compelling. In a hotly contested category, enormous congratulations must go to all those at Peacock and Co Solicitors, for this incredible nomination’. Highly Commended Nominees: Morr & Co LLP and Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP
SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR:
Winner: Diane Algar, Howell-Jones LLP with Christian Whittaker (tmgroup)
The judges commented, ‘the Support Team of the Year Award recognises how support staff members make special contributions to their organisation and their clients. The judges commented that the winner of this award has demonstrated just that, they are clearly a valued and experienced member of the team and actively assist with the training of newcomers into the firm. The archive project that they led on was a huge undertaking for the firm and they are a very worthy winner of this award.’ Highly Commended Nominee: Ashley Burrow, Meadows Ryan Solicitors
TEAM OF THE YEAR:
Winner: Howell-Jones Elderly Client & Vulnerable Adult Team with Oliver Tromp (Actionstep)
The judges commented, ‘this year's Team of the Year is an elderly client and vulnerable adult team, formed in 2023. They provide streamlined and specialist individual services to numerous elderly and vulnerable clients. In addition to supporting their clients with Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyships, the team also provides emotional and practical support. They combine kindness and empathy with extraordinary client care.’
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Karen Barham
This year, we were proud to award a Lifetime Achievement Award to a very special member of the SLS community, the incredible Karen Barham. Karen was presented with the Award by Interim Co-President of the Society, Nick Ball.
She was recognised for her outstanding work in the field of family law and mediation, and we are pleased to share some of the many comments that we received from her colleagues, peers and associates which were read out on the night.
She is a whirlwind of good ideas with a steely capacity to follow through on them. Her work in promoting dispute resolution in the field of family law is an invaluable contribution to the good of family law and for hurting families everywhere.
Her unwavering dedication and innovative contributions have left an indelible mark on our profession. Her pioneering work in Resolution and mediation has not only shaped the industry but also inspired countless legal professionals to strive for excellence.
Her generosity in sharing her knowledge and mentoring others has positively impacted the careers of numerous individuals. Her guidance and support have been instrumental in nurturing the talents of emerging legal professionals, leaving an enduring legacy of mentorship.
She has been at the forefront of the drive to move away from a confrontational court-based approach to resolving family issues. Her drive and passion is an inspiration to the local family law community.
Among the many distinguished lawyers in the Surrey law community, few can be as deserving as her of this lifetime award.
She has devoted her career to the field of Family law and for some 20 years now she has specialised in resolving family disputes without recourse to the Court. There are doubtless innumerable families who have benefited from her expertise and skill in resolving their disputes calmly and professionally.
She will always want to improve things for others, whilst being able to recognise what is right for herself, her colleagues, friends, and family. Her sense of humour combined with her forthright approach makes for an often successful combination at even the trickiest of times.
Her ability to combine legal acumen with empathy and a forward-thinking approach sets her apart in the legal community. Her tireless advocacy for mediation showcases her exceptional dedication to making a difference outside of the courtroom but also in society at large.
