South West law firm Foot Anstey has been named Law Firm of the Year at the Bristol Law Society annual awards for the second time in three years.
The award – for a firm with more than 15 partners – was in recognition of the firm’s client-centric approach and impressive growth.
As reported by Bristol Business News last week, the award for Law Firm with up to and including 15 Partners went to The Family Law Practice, while President of The Law Society of England & Wales and partner with Bristol-headquartered national firm TLT, Robert Bourns, received the Bristol Law Society President’s Outstanding Achievement Award for his contribution to the legal sector in the city and across the country.
Other winners included Claire Hurrell of Barcan+Kirby for lawyer of the year, Sabeena Pirooz of Lyons Davidson for Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, Burges Salmon for CSR Firm of the Year, and Fiona McGhie of Irwin Mitchell, Junior Lawyer of the Year.
Foot Anstey head of markets Nathan Peacey said: “Winning Law Firm of the Year is recognition of our position in the region and testament of everyone’s hard work across our offices and their drive and passion for excellent client service. The support of our people and our clients has been crucial on our journey, their input is invaluable.”
The firm’s success at the awards was, in part, to a nomination from a client following the successful completion of a large deal which involved multiple services and teams from across Foot Anstey’s office network, which spans Bristol, Taunton, Exeter, Plymouth, Southampton, Truro and London.
The award was sponsored by legal pricing and costs consultants Burcher Jennings.
Bristol-headquartered national firm Burges Salmon collected the CSR Firm of the Year title for its notable commitment to supporting good causes in the region.
The firm focused its submission on two projects: Bright Sparks and My Wild Street.
Burges Salmon described its CR programme as an intrinsic part of its business. Its focus is on identifying activities where its people can make a real difference in the local community.
By collaborating with a range of organisations, including primary and secondary schools, Envision, IntoUniversity, Ablaze and Avon Wildlife Trust, Burges Salmon builds relationships that have a lasting impact across three main areas: education, community and environment. The firm is also partnered with Fairfield High School through Business In The Community’s Business Class programme.
Burges Salmon CR manager Catherine Correia said: “We are really pleased to have been named CSR Firm of the Year and receive such high praise for the CR work that our people right across the firm carry out in Bristol all year round.
“It is thanks to our volunteering policy and culture at Burges Salmon that we have seen engagement figures rise to 56% across the firm. We pride ourselves on this success and giving our people opportunities to use their skills as well as their time to help others locally.”
Claire Hurrell, a senior associate solicitor in Barcan+Kirby’s top-ranked medical negligence team, won her award for her expertise in complex medical injury cases as well as her contribution to the development of the firm as a whole.
She joined Barcan+Kirby in 2013 and has quickly risen through the ranks, being promoted to senior associate in March this year.
The Bristol Law Society judges noted Claire’s “ability to manage a complex and challenging clinical negligence caseload whilst at the same time contributing significantly to the ongoing development of her co-employees”.
In addition to Claire’s award, Barcan+Kirby – which has offices in Bedminster, Clifton, Horfield, Kingswood, Thornbury and in Bristol city centre – made the final shortlist in three other categories: Firm of the Year (less than 15 partners), Junior Lawyer of the Year (Gareth Hughes) and Support Team Member of the Year (Pip Lewis).
Managing partner Chris Miller said: “Everyone who works with Claire knows that she is a truly excellent solicitor – competent, caring and diligent.
“Her casework alone is first class, but on top of that she devotes significant time and energy to mentoring and developing her colleagues, an admirable trait that we have really appreciated over the years she has been with us at Barcan+Kirby.
“I’m pleased but not surprised that she’s been recognised by Bristol Law Society as a leader in her field.”
Other winners were:
- Law Student of the Year: Otis Graham, University of Law
- Support Team Member of the Year: Jane Morgan, Legal Services Bristol City Council
- Barrister of the Year: Lucy Reed, St John’s Chambers
- Chambers of the Year: St John’s Chambers
- Team of the Year: Guildhall Chambers
Pictured below: Law Firm of the Year (over 15 partners). Foot Anstey, presented by Richard Allen, Burcher Jennings
Pictured below: Law Firm of the Year (up to 15 partners) – The Family Law Practice, presented by Duncan Edler of Lloyds Bank
Pictured below: Lawyer of the Year – Claire Hurrell, Barcan+Kirby, presented by Nicholas Lee of Paragon Costs Solution
Pictured below: Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year – Sabeena Pirooz, Lyons Davidson, presented by Zoe King of the University of Law
Pictured below: CSR Firm of the Year – Burges Salmon, presented by Robert Bourns, The President of The Law Society
Pictured below: President’s Outstanding Achievement Award – Robert Bourns, President of The Law Society presented by John Moriarty, President of Bristol Law Society
Pictured below: Law Student of the year – Otis Graham presented by Mark Esposito of Wessex Searches
Pictured below: Junior Lawyer of the Year – Fiona McGhie, Irwin Mitchell, presented by Steve Dinning of UWE
Pictured below: Barrister of the Year – Lucy Reed of St John’s Chambers, presented by Becky Moyce, Senior Vice President of Bristol Law Society on behalf of sponsors Wesleyan
Pictured below: Chambers of the Year – St John’s Chambers, presented by David Law of Acasta Europe Limited
Pictured below: Team of the Year – Clerking Team, Guildhall Chambers, presented by Richard Brown of Miller
