WINNERS of Liverpool Law Society’s inaugural Legal Awards have encouraged the city’s solicitors and barristers to put themselves forward for awards this year.
They say it is crucial for the legal fraternity to celebrate the city’s excellence in law.
And they have described their pride at receiving an award after being voted for by their peers.
Last month Liverpool’s lawyers were invited to enter the awards when they were launched by society president Charlie Jones.
Now Helen Broughton, who was named best Managing Partner in 2007 for her work at Morecrofts, and Mark Bland, whose firm Percy, Hughes & Roberts picked up the President’s Award for pro bono work, have added their praise for the awards.
Ms Broughton, who has been Morecrofts’ managing partner for three years, told LDP Legal: “It was my night at the Oscars. I nearly had a Kate [Winslet] moment, but not quite.
“You’re nominated, then voted for by your peers. So that was thrilling really, that the Liverpool lawyers voted for me in that position.”
Employment specialist Mr Bland, senior partner at Percy, Hughes & Roberts, said his firm’s work with Wirral and Merseyside charities had helped scoop the pro bono award.
He added: “We were very proud to have got it. Most of the awards went to the big firms, but it was nice that this went to a smaller-size firm.
“I would say ‘give it a go’.”
The 2009 awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on June 27, when awards will be handed out in 10 categories.
Firms can compete for the title of Firm of the Year, and there are categories for Barrister of the Year and Niche Law Firm of the Year. The Liverpool Daily Post is sponsoring the President’s Award for Human Rights Work.
In 2007, the black tie event saw Harkin Lloyd Solicitors, a team of seven established in 2004 by Jean Harkin and Rachel Lloyd, named Firm of the Year.
Tanya Griffiths, QC, then the only female silk in Liverpool, was named barrister of the year.
The Liverpool Daily Post is again sponsoring one of the awards.
The President's Award for Human Rights Work will be presented by Daily Post editor, Mark Thomas.
CLICK on www.liverpoollaw society.org.uk for full details. Nominations close on April 3.
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