A glittering night at the Yorkshire Legal Awards

Last night our Yorkshire Team attended the much-anticipated Yorkshire Legal Awards at New Dock Hall in Leeds along with some specially invited guests from firms in the region.

Established 15 years ago, the Awards celebrate the very best of the county’s legal sector with categories recognising everyone from big corporate players to small boutique practices; and senior partners to up-and-coming stars.

And what a night we had! As well as being a chance to get dressed up and socialise with the legal community, it was great to be part of such a fantastic event that celebrates outstanding talent across the region.

We caught up with Karen James, Partner at Ramsdens Solicitors, this morning about the awards last night:

‘I am very privileged to be part of a team of people at Ramsdens who are truly dedicated, conscientious, hard-working and committed. We have a superb Managing Partner who is innovative, savvy and forward thinking and an excellent management team. I am absolutely thrilled that the efforts of every single person within our organisation have been recognised by our winning the medium sized Yorkshire Law Firm of the Year Award 2015. It is an accolade which is an honour to achieve as the competition is tough and the judges are of such high esteem to impress.

As for the personal award of Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year, I am still, quite frankly, overwhelmed, not only in receiving the award itself, but by the messages of support and congratulations pouring in from all sectors of the industry. It is actually a very humbling experience.’

A full list of the winners are below, including the winner of the Corporate & Commercial Award which we were proud to present.

1. Law Firm Award (1 – 10 partners) - Tapestry Compliance LLP
2. Law Firm Award (11 – 30 partners) - Ramsdens Solicitors LLP      
3. Law Firm Award (31+ partners) - DLA Piper  
4. In-House Lawyer Award - Callcredit Information Group
5. Employment Law - Chadwick Lawrence LLP        
6. Residential Property Award - Chadwick Lawrence LLP                 
7. Commercial Property Award - Addleshaw Goddard LLP                               
8. Dispute Resolution - Irwin Mitchell LLP                       
9. Rising Star Award - Mark Wilkinson, Shulmans LLP
10. Private Client Award- Bond Dickinson
11. Niche Law Firm Award -Unity Law             
12. Corporate and Commercial Award - Squire Patton Boggs           
13. Enterprise Award - Simon B. Halliwell, Construction Law Expert Limited         
14. Family Law Award - Henry Hyams
15. Chambers of the Year - Parklane Plowden Chambers
16. Trainee Solicitor Award - Kaira Clarehugh, The Needle Partnership
17. Managing Partner of the Year - Alison Barnes, Barnes Family Law
18. Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year - Karen James, Ramsdens Solicitors LLP
19. President's Award - Robert Smith QC                       

A massive and heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners and nominees. And, a huge thanks to Barker Brooks Communications for organising another wonderful evening.

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