Fast-expanding ‘boutique’ Bristol outfit Temple Bright won the prestigious Regional Law Firm category at the Bristol Law Society Annual Awards last night with Burges Salmon, one of Bristol's 'big two', collecting the Law Firm of the Year Award.
The awards were presented at the annual dinner of the Bristol Law Society staged at the Marriott City Centre Hotel.
Other winners included Ian Kelcey, of Kelcey & Hall, who picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award, and Elaine Meyrick of Thrings, who collected the Junior Lawyer of the Year Award.
Temple Bright founding partner Tim Summers said: “Temple Bright has had a big impact in a short time. It’s not much over two years since the practice was formed but our distinctive chambers model has rewritten the rules for law firms in Bristol.
“Our hard-hitting, down-to-earth approach involves advice exclusively from senior specialists and fixed pricing. This has proven attractive to the region’s entrepreneurs.
“Being Regional Law Firm of the Year gives us a great platform to build on for the year ahead.”
The full awards (and those shortlisted) were:
Pro-Bono Award sponsored by ADRg:
Winner: Dr Michael Naughton, Ms. Gabe Tan, Mark Allum and Ryan Jendoubi (The Innocence Project, Bristol University)
Shortlisted: CLARS (UWE), Natalie Drew and Sarah Green (TLT)
CILEX Award sponsored by Paragon Costs Solutions:
Winner: Craig Tickner (Aidan Woods & Co)
Shortlisted: Sarah Goodridge (Withy King), The Co-Operative Legal Services
Legal Aid Firm of the Year sponsored by TNT Post
Winner: South West Law
Shortlisted: Avon and Bristol Law Centre, Kelcey & Hall
Junior Lawyer of the Year sponsored by The College of Law
Winner: Elaine Meyrick (Thrings)
Shortlisted: Mary Gaskins (Burges Salmon), Sarah Green (TLT)
Chambers/Barrister of the Year sponsored by Lansdown Place
Winner: St John’s Chambers
Shortlisted: Albion Chambers, Hugh Sims (Guildhall Chambers)
Law Firm of the Year sponsored by Scott Law
Winner: Burges Salmon
Shortlisted: Osborne Clarke, TLT Solicitors
Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored by Wesleyan for Lawyers
Winner: Ian Kelcey (Kelcey & Hall)
Shortlisted: Joanne Campbell (VWV/Connect2Law), David Woodward (TLT Solicitors)
Regional Law Firm of the Year sponsored by LloydsTSB Commercial
Winner: Temple Bright
Shortlisted: Clarke Willmott, Foot Anstey
Solicitor Advocate sponsored by The Law Society
Winner: Gillian Hall (Kelcey & Hall)
Shortlisted: Andrew Gregg (Gregg Latchams), Ian Kelcey (Kelcey & Hall)
In-House Lawyer of the Year sponsored by Chadwick Nott
Winner: Diana Cummings (Taylor Wimpey)
Shortlisted: Sue Dauncey (Avon & Somerset Police), Claudia Lank (Bristol City Council)
Environment and Legal Sector Alliance Award sponsored by Wessex Searches
Winner: Gregg Latchams
Shortlisted: Bevan Brittan, Bond Pearce