Northern Law Awards 2019 Winners Guide

Northern

Law Awards 2019 Winners Guide

6th June 2019 Hilton Newcastle Gateshead

www.lawawards.co.uk

Introduction

Congratulations to all the winners of the Northern Law Awards 2019 On 6th June 2019 the North of England legal sector came together to celebrate the achievements and successes of hard working teams and individuals from across our region.

Judges had a very difficult job selecting only one winner in each category, with an exceptionally high calibre of nominees across all categories.

All the entrants should be very proud of the impressive work they have achieved - all of which was very clearly reflected in the high quailty of the submissions.

The evening was hosted by BBC Radio Presenter Alfie Joey. The following pages outline the winners, along with an explanation of the award categories and why, in the opinion of the judges, each of the winners was chosen.

These awards could not take place without the support of our fantastic sponsors, so thank you to:

SD LEGAL SERVICES THE COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Helen Ager

2019 Judges John Duns

Paul McKeown

Andrew Enthistle

Ammar Mirza

Laura Farnworth

Alison Moss

Vicki Gilman

Fiona Newborough

Alison Gittins Durham Business Group

Erin Peart

Simon Goldberg

Andy Poole

Helen Griffiths

Keith Proudfoot

Lee Hartley

Natalie Rodgers

Chris Hugill

Rosy Rourke

Edwin James

David Sinden

Paul Jennings

Rhona Smith

Jonathan Jowett

Barry Speker

Jessica Layfield

David Storey

Ian Dormer

Rose Lee-Gough

Michael Stubbs

Jon Dudgeon

John Marshall

Kerry Underwood

DAC Beachcroft LLP

Joanna Berry

Durham University Business School

Chris Black

Brewin Dolphin

Deveral Capps

Leeds Law School

Michelle Chambers Brewin Dolphin

Richard Clark Barclays

Ruth Connorton

(formerly) DAC Beachcroft

Ian Cosgrove

Cosgrove Costing Limited

Rebecca Cresswell CILEx

Helen Cutting

Teesside University

Simon Darby

SD Legal Services

Malcolm Davies Elliott Davies

Jeff Dean Rosh Emgineering Ltd BluSky Tax

Katherine Dunn

Northumbria University

NE Times

George F White Atom Bank

Social Return

Trinity Chambers

CILEx Newcastle Branch Fairstone Group Ltd Ward Hadaway Bannatyne Group North of England P&I Greggs plc

Personal Support Unit Personal Support Unit NGI

Northumbria Law School Asian Business Connexions Solicitor (non-practising) Brewin Dolphin Hanro Group Armstrong Watson LLP (formerly) ICAEW

Parklane Plowden Chambers Armstrong Watson HSBC

Newcastle University Sintons LLP

Private Client Consultant Parklane Plowden Chambers Underwoods Solicitors

Rod Wilkinson KPMG LLP

Judging Process Each nomination submitted to the Northern Law Awards was judged against the following: • the merit of the nomination • the extent to which the nomination met the awards criteria This judging took place in two stages: STAGE ONE Following the nomination deadline, all the entries for each category were reviewed on the basis of the award criteria for the respective category and a list of finalists was selected. The finalists in each category were then invited to attend a judging day to meet with a panel of judges.

STAGE TWO The judging day took place on Thursday 24th April at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead. Each finalist met with a panel of judges to discuss the submitted nomination and provide further insight into their entry. Following the interviews, the judging panels debated the merits of the finalists for their category until a decision was reached.

Results at a Glance Finalists:

TEAM OF THE YEAR - LITIGATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

WINNER: Jordan Down – Mincoffs Solicitors

Hay & Kilner Law Firm

TRAINEE OF THE YEAR

Charlotte Emmerson – Eversheds Sutherland (Int) LLP Ailsa Charlton – Mincoffs Solicitors Eleanor Fisher-Thompson – Swinburne Maddison LLP Daniyal Malik – Ward Hadaway

TEAM OF THE YEAR - PRIVATE CLIENT

Finalists:

BHP Law Cartmell Shepherd Limited Hay & Kilner Law Firm Mincoffs Solicitors

WINNER: Sintons LLP

Swinburne Maddison LLP

TEAM OF THE YEAR - PROPERTY (COMMERCIAL)

Finalists:

Archers Law LLP Hay & Kilner Law Firm

WINNER: Jacksons Law Firm Mincoffs Solicitors St James’ Square Law Firm Swinburne Maddison LLP Ward Hadaway

TEAM OF THE YEAR - PROPERTY (RESIDENTIAL)

Finalists:

Hay & Kilner Law Firm Jacksons Law Firm

WINNER: Mincoffs Solicitors St James’ Square Law Firm Swinburne Maddison LLP Tilly Bailey & Irvine

PRO BONO / COMMUNITY INITIATIVE

Finalists: WINNER: Excelsior Team, Newcastle Law School Teesside Law Clinic, Teesside University

TEAM OF THE YEAR - EMPLOYMENT

Finalists:

Collingwood Legal Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP Hay & Kilner Law Firm Swinburne Maddison LLP

WINNER: Ward Hadaway

TEAM OF THE YEAR - CORPORATE / COMMERCIAL

Finalists:

WINNER: Sintons LLP

Swinburne Maddison LLP TLW Solicitors

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Finalists:

James Oliver McMillan – BHP Law Helen Walton – DWF LLP Richard Marshall – Hay & Kilner Law Firm

WINNER: Robyn Aisbitt – Mincoffs Solicitors

Ross Gordon – Parkdean Resorts James Pickford – Procter & Gamble Technical Centres Limited Jenny Atkin – St James’ Square Law Firm Damien Todd – Sweeney Miller Law

TEAM OF THE YEAR - CRIME / REGULATORY

Finalists

Eversheds Sutherland (Int) LLP Jacksons Law Firm

WINNER: Hay & Kilner Law Firm

TEAM OF THE YEAR - FAMILY LAW

Finalists:

Archers Law LLP BHP Law Hay & Kilner Law Firm Mincoffs Solicitors

WINNER: Sintons LLP

LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR

Finalists: WINNER: North P&I Parkdean Resorts Procter & Gamble

LAW TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Finalists:

Dr Josh Jowitt – Newcastle University Samantha Ryan – Newcastle University

WINNER: Jill Alexander – Northumbria University Kayliegh Richardson – Northumbria University Michelle Marguerite Gallagher – Teesside University

LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Finalists: WINNER: Shirley Hall – Eversheds Sutherland (Int) LLP

Finalists:

Alison Hall – Hay & Kilner Law Firm Caroline Goodwin Q.C. – Trinity Chambers

WINNER: Sintons Law LLP

Finalists: WINNER: Collingwood Legal

Hay & Kilner Law Firm Mincoffs Solicitors

Swinburne Maddison LLP

LAW PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AWARD

Finalists: WINNER: The Governance, Risk and Compliance Team – Aberdein Considine Claire Thornton – TLW Solicitors Carolyn Beal – Swinburne Maddison LLP

TEAM OF THE YEAR - PERSONAL INJURY / CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE Finalists:

Hay & Kilner Law Firm

WINNER: Irwin Mitchell LLP Sintons LLP TRUE Solicitors

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (1-5 PARTNERS)

Iris Law Firm St James’ Square Law Firm TLW Solicitors

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (6+ PARTNERS)

Finalists:

Archers Law LLP Jacksons Law Firm

WINNER: Sintons LLP

Swinburne Maddison LLP TRUE Solicitors LLP Ward Hadaway

Main Partner:

Rising Trainee Star ofof the the Year Year

Jordan Tom Down, Shanks, Mincoffs Blueline Solicitors Group The winner of this award, Jordan Down of Mincoffs Solicitors, has shown strong development over the course of their career to date and acknowledges their potential to continue the development of their professional profile.

The judges felt that Jordan has a good level of self-awareness and understanding of personal and professional opportunities, alongside an ability to go above and beyond what is expected of a trainee with both clients and the business.

The panel felt that this individual will bring their personality to bear within their chosen field of commercial property and will be an asset to any company.

Sponsored by:

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Private Client

Sintons LLP

The judges were impressed by a polished presentation from the team at Sintons LLP, paying detailed attention to the brief. The team has strong expertise but is always looking at ways to expand and increase revenue.

As a panel, they admired the team’s efforts to be innovative with for example the use of podcasts. They also appear to work well together and have a strong governance programme. The judges found their Dementia Friends initiative particularly inspiring.

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Property (Commercial)

Jacksons Law Firm

Again, this year, this was an exceptionally difficult category to judge with all the shortlisted firms showing exceptional skills across the criteria.

The final two were incredibly close, but the eventual winner, Jacksons Law Firm, showed true team work, from senior support level.

The client base has grown exceptionally over recent years and the firm has made client satisfaction a real priority, with all staff undertaking a customer service training course.

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Property (Residential)

Mincoffs Solicitors

This team from Mincoffs Solicitors are clearly passionate about client service. Despite being leaders in their field for over 30 years they strive to improve the service they provide to residential property clients every day. That they have succeeded in that task over the last 12 months is amply demonstrated by the client feedback we were shown and the turnover and profitability figures which the team have achieved.

The head of this team, Una Coulson retires in March and we are sure that hers will be big boots to fill.

Main Partner:

Pro Bono / Community Initiative

Excelsior Team, Newcastle Law School The students from the Excelsior Team at Newcastle Law School who attended the Judging Day showed intense enthusiasm and have been fundamental in this project, using their own achievements to inspire others to be confident, ambitious and ignite their belief in a career in the law being a realistic and attractive possibility.

Theirs is an outstanding community project, excellently led by Joshua Howitt and fulfilled by students who are passionate in increasing aspirations for sixth form students at Excelsior Academy in the west end of Newcastle.

Sponsored by:

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Employment

Ward Hadaway

The standard of entry was exceptionally high but Ward Hadaway shone in every criterion as well as demonstrating a clear commitment to the North East through their work with Schools North East and Health & Wellbeing initiatives.

Their success is evident by the significant growth in turnover, profit and team expansion. This firm showed a breath of expertise, strong, collegiate leadership and as one client put it: “instead of constantly hearing ‘you’ we are always hearing ‘we’”.

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Corporate / Commercial

Sintons LLP

With a strong legal expertise and depth across sectors added in 2018 the team from Sintons LLP also recognised the need for strategic recruitment to meet the demands of a maturing client base.

As a team, they have shown a willingness to invest in all sizes and varieties of business and have used the advocacy from existing clients to attract new business, also providing “get off the fence� advice.

Main Partner:

Law Practice Management Award

The Governance, Risk and Compliance Team, Aberdein Considine The judges were impressed with the Governance, Risk and Compliance Team at Aberdein Considine's use of data, such as recording customer calls and checking for key words like complaint, unhappy and stress and the interface with their lender clients. They have placed compliance at the forefront of their business, both operationally and strategically.

This team has played a leading part in the firm’s success in successfully acquiring an English Business (i.e. in a new jurisdiction) maintaining its client base and also adding new clients to the business.

Sponsored by:

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Personal Injury / Clinical Negligence

Irwin Mitchell LLP

These winners demonstrated excellence in every category during judging and this was passionately delivered to back up the written material, proving teamwork at it’s best.

The team at Irwin Mitchell LLP provide a holistic service offering with a range of disciplines along with strong evidence of client satisfaction and service excellence – all while working as a team.

Sponsored by:

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Sintons LLP

This was another impressive category with four strong finalists.

These winners have shown a significant growth in the team over the last year including the recruitment and training of specialised team members. In this time, they have also seen a notable increase in their client workload and are developing quality North East Client Base.

They demonstrate a real commitment to providing service excellence through the use of modern technology and the development of bespoke initiatives such as fee structure.

Overall, they have achieved a very successful year with a fast growing and professional team.

Rising Star of the Year

Robyn Aisbitt, Mincoffs Solicitors This individual shows real commitment and dedication, evidenced in overcoming significant obstacles early in their career.

Robyn Aisbitt from Mincoffs Solicitors has shown exceptional business development skills, a highly creative approach to profile raising activities and a highly effective multi disciplinary approach to practice.

Robyn manages client expectations and demands with integrity, authenticity and a strong appreciation of the importance of the team. And finally, her excellent legal skills have been proven in their taking on a major public sector organisation, and winning!

Main Partner:

Team of the Year - Crime / Regulatory

Hay & Kilner Law Firm

The panel were very impressed by the cradle to grave and beyond offering of this firm. Whilst regionally based they have an expansive client base across the country and are working on complex and groundbreaking issues in an ever-challenging, underfunded area of law.

At Hay & Kilner Law Firm, client appreciation is obvious and demonstrated by returning clients after conflict issues have forced alternative representation. They have made clear steps to grow and succession plan and continue to invest in the local market.

Sponsored by:

Team of the Year - Family Law

Sintons LLP

The team at Sintons LLP displayed clear evidence of team integration, as well as evidence of innovative new business development. They were passionate about their roles in the business and made it clear that their primary consideration was a fair outcome for the family as a whole.

The judges were particularly impressed by the way in which they fully presented to us the role of each member of the team.

Main Partner:

Legal Department of the Year

North P&I

In the past year the team at North P&I delivered a project that was of transnational complexity across multiple jurisdictions in an insurers critical environment on time and on budget.

They used a cross functional team including a multi-disciplinary legal team and demonstrated a firm commitment to personal and team development whilst delivering on the major initiative.

The solution found was innovative in that it was a sector-first and led to their showing leadership to other companies facing the same challenges.

Main Partner:

Law Teacher of the Year

Jill Alexander, Northumbria University From an outstanding list of excellent candidates, the winner of this award has drawn upon their 25 years of teaching experience.

Jill Alexander from Northumbria University has introduced various initiatives such as a project to empower students to overcome barriers to employment in the legal profession. She shows total investment in her students to inspire and equip them to demonstrate employability and to contribute to the avoidance of the “perpetuation of cycles of disadvantage� which they may face. This will positively promote diversity throughout the legal profession.

Lawyer of the Year

Shirley Hall, Eversheds Sutherland (Int) LLP Appropriately, as we celebrate 100 years since women were allowed to practice law, we had a shortlist of 3 impressive women.

The judges found it difficult to compare and differentiate their respective impressive achievements. But after deliberation and a recount, the issue of gender had an impact on the winner.

This year’s winner, Shirley Hall of Eversheds Sutherland (Int) LLP has been instrumental in the development of solutions to one of the biggest issues for business in 2019 – the Gender Pay Gap. Her personal passion for this area of law shone through the process. A true business builder leading by example and developing staff through less traditional routes into the profession, she is a worthy winner.

As her nominator stated: she “has had a spectacular 12 months”

Main Partner:

Law Firm of the Year (1-5 Partners)

Collingwood Legal

The panel of judges were impressed by the winning firm’s demonstration of a quality, niche service in their chosen area, where they are performing very strongly for the size and location of the firm. They are winning high profile, high value work including outside of the region.

Collingwood Legal has a strong team ethos and team members at all levels achieve recognition. Their innovative training division provides knowledge and develops work.

Sponsored by:

SD LEGAL SERVICES THE COMPLETE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Law Firm of the Year (6+ Partners)

Sintons LLP

The judges were impressed by the way Sintons LLP have developed their infra structure particularly with regards to staff support and business development.

The firm has wholeheartedly embraced the digital agenda and has seen the positive impact of this.

Their understanding of developing staff at all levels and managing staff health was outstanding, their approach to development is very well thought through and is clearly effective as indicated by the financial performance figures.

Sponsored by:

Sponsored by:

Main Partner:

Outstanding Achievement Award

Roger Kelly OBE

The most prestigious award of the evening was the Outstanding Achievement Award, which was this year awarded posthumously to Roger Kelly OBE, who was recognised for the incredible contribution he made to the North East region, and particularly to Gateshead.

Mike Barker of Gateshead Council presented the award to Roger’s family, saying: “It was Roger’s skill in forming strong and lasting partnerships with others from all different sectors and backgrounds that enabled Gateshead Council to drive forward the Gateshead Quays with the Sage Gateshead, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, Baltic Quay, and St Mary’s Heritage Centre.”

Northern Law Awards 2020 It is not too early to start thinking about which Northern Law Awards categories you would like to enter in 2020.

Are you in the best team in a particular specialist area?

Have you supported and developed a firm to ensure best practice?

Do you have a colleague who is exceeding expectations?

Are you the best firm in the region?

Do you know the most inspiring law teacher?

Are you an in-house legal team who make a marked impact on your daily business?

If the answer is “yes� to any of the above, then we want to hear from you!

Benefits of Entering

Increase your profile and attract new business Sharpen the focus of your business and its activities Benchmark yourself against other agencies & organisations Motivate and reward staff

Entries will be accepted from November 2019, so keep your eyes peeled for announcements!

Interested in becoming a sponsor?

There are a number of sponsorship opportunities available that ensure you are positioned directly in front of your target audience. If you would like to join us and align your branding with the North of England's only Law Awards call Nicole Dixon on 0191 241 4523 or email nicole@echoevents.org to discuss the packages available.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the Northern Law Awards Team 0191 241 4523 or info@lawawards.co.uk The Northern Law Awards are proudly organised by Echo Events & Association Management, find out more at www.echoevents.org

Thank you to our Sponsors!

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