Bristol’s top legal firms and some of their most talented lawyers and support staff will battle it out next month at one of the city’s top awards ceremonies.
The prestigious Bristol Law Society (BLS) Awards recognise excellence in the legal profession in the Bristol area, celebrating outstanding work carried out over the past year, both in the city and the wider South West, as well as nationally and internationally. 
The shortlist for the 11 awards shows Irwin Mitchell competing in four categories and TLT, Bevan Brittan and Barcan+Kirby in the running for three, while Thrings, Burges Salmon and DAC Beachcroft are lining up in two categories each.
The winners of the will be announced at the BLS Annual Awards Dinner on 3 November at the Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre.
The full shortlist is:
Law Student of the Year – Darren Broad, University of Law (Bristol); Rob Camm, Osborne Clarke; Gemma Spratt-Soper, DWF & Weston College.
Support Team Member of the Year – Lizzie Heffer, head of marketing, Thrings; Jo Stevens, marketing & business development manager, Shakespeare Martineau (formerly GL Law); Charlotte Wait, senior paralegal (family), Barcan+Kirby.
Diversity, Inclusion & Wellbeing Award – Burges Salmon; Irwin Mitchell; Thompsons Solicitors.
Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year – David Curwen, Unity Street Chambers; Anne-Marie Gregory, DAC Beachcroft; Rachel Lobley, Simmons & Simmons.
Junior Lawyer of the Year – Zhenja Cann, Thrings; Ellie Jones, Ince (Bristol); Zoe Livadeas, Irwin Mitchell; Naomi O’Brien, Barcan+Kirby.
Legal Innovator Award – DAC Beachcroft Family Team (Bristol); Irwin Mitchell; Martin Holdsworth, IDR.
Law Chambers of the Year – Guildhall Chambers Queen Square Chambers St John’s Chambers
Lawyer of the Year – Maria Connolly, TLT; Helen Franklin, Barcan+Kirby; Holly Miéville-Hawkins, Michelmores; Natalie Wargent, VWV.
Team of the Year – Irwin Mitchell Family Team (Bristol); Irwin Mitchell Public Law & Human Rights Team; Stowe Family Law Family Team (Bristol).
Community Engagement Law Firm of the Year – Early Careers Network (A collaboration of VWV, Womble Bond Dickinson, University of Law, Bevan Brittan, Michelmores, Clarke Willmott and Foot Anstey); Womble Bond Dickinson.
Sustainable Business of the Year – Bevan Brittan; Burges Salmon; TLT; Womble Bond Dickinson.
Law Firm of the Year (Up to 20 Partners) – AMD Solicitors; Barcan+Kirby; Brigstow Family Law.
Law Firm of the Year (Over 20 Partners) – Bevan Brittan; Irwin Mitchell; TLT; VWV.
