Celebrating the wealth of legal talent across the region, the Northern Law Awards are fast becoming one of the most prestigious evenings in the social calendar.
Returning for a third time, the event took place recently at the Hilton NewcastleGateshead and was compered by BBC Radio Newcastle Presenter and Comedian Alfie Joey.
The annual awards recognise achievement in a number of different categories and unite the best of the North East’s legal community in celebration of their successes over the previous year. The awards are judged by some of the region’s leading business professionals across a number of sectors whilst the main partner this year was NWG Property Solutions. The evening is a glamorous black tie event which features a drinks reception, 3 course-meal and the awards ceremony itself.
The night’s two leading prizes went to firms Swinburne Madison LLP and Collingwood Legal. The Durham-based Swinburne Madison LLP was named “Large Law Firm of the Year” in addition to taking home the “Litigation and Disputes Resolution Team of the Year” prize.
The “Small Firm of the Year” award honours companies with fewer than six partners and was this year presented to Newcastle-based Collingwood Legal.
Elsewhere, national firm Irwin Mitchell LLP scooped three awards including the “Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Team of the Year” alongside the “Trainee of the Year” award for Kimberley Fryer and the “Rising Star” award for Emma Crowther who delivered a highly impressive performance across all criteria.
Other big winners included Ward Hadaway who claimed the “Employment Team of the Year” and the “Corporate/Commercial Team of the Year” double and Newcastle-based Hay & Kilner who also won two awards receiving both the “Private Client Team of the Year” and the “Crime/Regulatory Team of the Year.”
The “Property Team of the Year” proved the most fiercely contested category and the judging panel couldn’t separate DAC Beachcroft and Jacksons Law who shared the award.
In other categories, the Teeside University Law Clinic won the “Pro Bono/Community Iniative” award whilst Beecham Peacock was named the “Family Law Team of the Year.”
The “Law Practice Management” award went to Scott Garson of Cartmell Shepherd Ltd for his work across all areas of the practice whilst the newly-introduced “Employer of the Year” was awarded to TLW Solicitors for their impressive levels of staff retention and internal progression.
Finally, Judith Archibold who heads the legal team at Parkdean Resorts was named “Lawyer of the Year” while Toby Hedworth Q.C. Head of Trinity Chambers was recognised with the “Outstanding Achievement” award.
