Recognising the achievements of Birmingham’s legal talent, the winners of Birmingham Law Society’s Legal Awards were announced on Thursday night.
After last year’s virtual ceremony, Birmingham Law Society’s flagship awards took place at the ICC, allowing the local legal industry to come together and celebrate. Of the twelve awards distributed, Jayne Willetts of Jayne Willetts & Co Solicitors won the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award. Having practised law for almost 40 years, the award recognises Jayne as a leading figure in the profession, noting the many contributions she had made to the legal community throughout her career, including first female President of Birmingham Law Society in 1999.
This year also saw two new categories introduced. Cleo Stewart of Midland Heart Ltd won the In-House Lawyer Award, while Trowers & Hamlins LLP took home the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award.
Stephanie Perraton, President of Birmingham Law Society, said: “This year’s awards were pertinent for Birmingham’s legal community as it was the first time since 2019 that we have been able to come together to celebrate our members’ achievements in person. This was reflected in a successful turnout for the event, which saw the legal talents of firms and individuals celebrated for all the hard work they have done.
“The awards also provided the opportunity to reflect on the terrible events happening in Ukraine and highlight some of the projects that have been established to help, such as the Ukrainian Advice Project UK or the Ukrainian Justice Alliance. In addition, we were also able to raise money for my two chosen charities during my Birmingham Law Society presidency: Walk the Walk and SIFA Fireside.
“Birmingham Law Society also wanted to champion those who had taken great steps to make the legal profession a more inclusive industry with the new Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award. We hope that by celebrating the achievements of firms such as Trowers & Hamlins LLP, we can encourage others to follow in their footsteps, inspiring those who may not have considered the legal profession was for them.”
This year’s awards were sponsored by 3PB Barristers, Birmingham City University, Common Purpose, Cornwall Street Barristers, Eminent Crisis Management Group Limited, Index Information Group, Landmark Information Group, Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, No5 Barristers’ Chambers, Oosha, Squire Patton Boggs, St Ives Chambers, St Philips Chambers, Frazenda and Tula Medical Experts and The University of Law.
For more information, please visit www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk.
Full list of the 2022 Legal Awards Winners below:
BIRMINGHAM LAW SOCIETY PRO-BONO AWARD
- Trevor Allsopp – Birmingham Peoples Centre
TRAINEE SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR
- Amelia Bauer – Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR
- Richard Port MBE – George Green LLP
PARTNER OF THE YEAR
- Steven Allen – Mills & Reeve LLP
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR
- Samantha Ross – Bevan Brittan LLP
PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR
- Rebecca Chauhan – Anthony Collins Solicitors
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR – SOLE PRACTITIONERS – UP TO 5 PARTNERS
- Magma Legal Services
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR NATIONAL
- Bevan Brittan LLP
IN-HOUSE LAWYER AWARD
- Cleo Stewart – Midland Heart Ltd
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARD
- Trowers & Hamlins LLP
BARRISTER OF THE YEAR
- Earl Pinnock – No5 Barristers’ Chambers
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
- Jayne Willets – Jayne Willets & Co Solicitors