Robert Bourns, President of The Law Society of England & Wales, last night received the Bristol Law Society President’s Outstanding Achievement Award for his contribution to the legal sector in the city and across the country.
His 30-year plus career has taken him from trainee in Bristol – where he grew up and went to school – to leading the professional organisation that represents 166,000 solicitors. 
The award was presented to Robert, pictured, a partner at Bristol-headquartered national law firm TLT, by Bristol Law Society president John Moriarty at its annual awards dinner.
Robert qualified in 1980 after graduating from Cardiff University (then University College, Cardiff) in 1976.
He was TLT managing partner for six years and senior partner for four consecutive terms, playing a critical role in the firm’s growth and emergence as a national player.
He joined The Law Society Council in 2011 and was elected deputy vice president three years later.
He had previously served as secretary and president of Bristol Law Society and secretary of the Association of South Western Law Societies.
Foot Anstey won Law Firm of the Year – over 15 Partners – with the title for the law firm with up to and including 15 partners going to The Family Law Practice.
Other winners at last night’s awards were:
- Law Student of the Year: Otis Graham, University of Law
- Support Team Member of the Year: Jane Morgan, Legal Services Bristol City Council
- Junior Lawyer of the Year: Fiona McGhie, Irwin Mitchell
- Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year: Sabeena Pirooz, Lyons Davidson
- CSR Firm of the Year: Burges Salmon
- Barrister of the Year: Lucy Reed, St John’s Chambers
- Chambers of the Year: St John’s Chambers
- Lawyer of the Year: Claire Hurrell, Barcan+Kirby
- Team of the Year: Guildhall Chambers
- Law Firm – up to and including 15 Partners – of the Year: The Family Law Practice
- Law Firm – over 15 Partners – of the Year: Foot Anstey
A full report of the awards dinner with photos will appear on Bristol Business News next week
