The managing partners of the two law firms that won the top awards at Bristol Law Society’s annual dinner have praised their staff’s achievements.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV) landed the large law firm of the year title while Barcan+Kirby’s Fiona Dabell won the coveted Junior Lawyer of the Year prize and colleague Samantha Castle scooped the strongly contested Lawyer of the Year Award.
The firm also won the CSR Firm of the Year Award for its work with dementia charity Bristol Dementia Action Alliance (BDAA).
VWV’s success in the Law Firm of the Year 2017 (over 15 partners) award recognised both its excellence in the provision of legal services and continued investment to regional and national development.
Managing partner Simon Heald said it a great honour to receive the accolade.
“At the heart of our values is our clients being at the centre of the firm. I would like to thank all of our staff who live and breathe these values every day, as it is our people and our culture that set us apart,” he said.
“The fact that Danielle Woods and Ellen Marsh were also shortlisted for Support Team Member of the Year is testament to that.”
He pointed out that each of each of VWV’s office locations – Bristol, London, Watford and Birmingham – had grown this year.
The firm has also recently merged with specialist healthcare firm Lockharts and private client law firm Seabourne Lawleys and made significant investment in its people. This includes recruiting charity specialist Paul Voller, procurement expert Stephanie Rickard, commercial property Partner Kenneth Maxwell, personal injury specialist Jonathan Peacock, healthcare Partner Paul Werrell and local authority expert Mark Heath.
Barcan+Kirby managing partner Bill Willcocks said: “I’m so pleased for each and every one of our winners. Fiona and Sam both thoroughly deserve this recognition of their excellent work over the past year and impressive careers to date.
“Likewise, the CSR award for our dementia work is a testament to the conscientiousness and commitment of all our staff, but particularly to the hard work of Anna Molter, who has championed this cause for a long time now.
“We have a track record of success at these awards, but to come away with three wins is unprecedented for us. Finally, whilst attention is justifiably focused on our winners, Kirsten Hale and our HR team both deserve credit for being shortlisted. An achievement in its own right.”
Barcan+Kirby employs more than 100 staff in six offices in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
The Bristol Law Society annual dinner and awards took place at the Bristol City Marriott Hotel and attracted more than 300 guests from the West of England’s legal sector.
The President’s Outstanding Achievement Award was presented posthumously to widely respected family solicitor Julie Exton, a former president of the Association of Her Majesty’s District Judges, who died recently aged 59.
Julie Exton was admitted as a solicitor in 1983 and articled at Bristol firm Burges Salmon. On qualification she moved to Veale Benson (now Veale Wasbrough Vizards) and was appointed as a deputy district judge in July 1993 and a district judge in September 1999.
The full list of winners was:
Law Student of the Year
Brooke Lewis, UWE
Support Team Member of the Year
Jerry Fowler, Civil and Family Justice Centre, Bristol County Court
Junior Lawyer of the Year
Fiona Dabell, Barcan+Kirby
Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year
Beverley Watkins, Watkins Solicitors Incorporating Brain Sinnott & Co
CSR Firm of the Year
Barcan+Kirby
Barrister of the Year
Natasha Dzameh, St John’s Chambers
Chambers of the Year
Albion Chambers
Lawyer of the Year
Samantha Castle, Barcan+Kirby
Team of the Year
Litigant in Person (Lip) Service
Law Firm of the Year (under 15 partners)
AMD Solicitors
Law Firm of the Year (over 15 partners)
Veale Wasbrough Vizards
President’s Outstanding Achievement Award
District Judge Julie Exton
Pictured: Veale Wasbrough Vizards managing partner Simon Heald, right, holds the large law firm of the year award as the team celebrate their victory
