PARTNER at DWF, Laurence Pritchard, took centre stage in the motorsport world when he presented the Silver Star Award to racing driver and Fifth Gear presenter Jason Plato at the British Racing Drivers’ Club Awards 2008.

DWF, which has extensive experience in advising motorsports clients, was a sponsor of the awards.

They celebrate the finest achievements by Britain’s top drivers and are billed as the most exclusive event in the motorsport calendar.

The 2008 awards, held at the Café Royal in London, marked the 80th anniversary of the BRDC.

Guests included Lewis Hamilton, David Coulthard, Sir Stirling Moss OBE, Nigel Mansell OBE and Damon Hill OBE, as well as the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown. DWF’s work with motor sport clients includes sponsorship agreements, representing clients at high-profile hearings, and advising on mergers and acquisitions to advising motorsport organisations on risk assessments and claims avoidance.

Mr Pritchard, head of DWF’s commercial and intellectual property team, said: “It was a pleasant surprise to find myself presenting the award to one of our own clients.”

MANAGING partner of DWF, Andrew Leaitherland, has been elected to serve a second three-year term in an unopposed election.

Mr Leaitherland became one of the country’s youngest managing partners when he was first appointed in January, 2006, aged 36.