Bath’s largest law firm Royds Withy King is in the running for the region’s most prestigious legal award.
The firm, the result of the recent merger between Withy King, which has two offices in Bath, and city of London practice Royds, is on the three-strong shortlist for the title of Bristol Law Society Law Firm of the Year with more than 15 partners.
It lines up against Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV) and regional firm Foot Anstey, which has an office in Bristol.
Royds Withy King’s two offices in Bath – Northumberland Buildings, Queen Square, and Midland Bridge House, Midland Bridge – employ around 185 people between them. Bath remains the head office following the merger.
The Bristol Law Society awards recognise the brightest and best legal talent working in Bristol and Bath.
The 12 awards will be presented at the Bristol Law Society’s annual dinner on October 13.
Withy King did the double at last year’s ceremony with lawyers Sarah Goodridge and Rebecca Stevens collecting awards.
Sarah, a chartered legal executive in Withy King’s commercial property team, won the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) of the Year Award while Rebecca, a member of the firm’s family team, collected the Pro Bono Individual of the Year Award.
The Law Firm of the Year title is awarded to the firm best able to demonstrate excellence in the provision of legal services which has been recognised either regionally or nationally or a firm that has seen significant development during the year.
Bristol Law Society president John Moriarty said the high level and quality of nominations submitted this year provided a great challenge to the shortlisting independent judging team.
“The nominations received demonstrated the excellent range and standard of expertise and charitable works undertaken within the legal profession in Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas,” he said.
“We congratulate all those individuals, teams and organisations who were nominated and in particular those who were shortlisted.”
The award’s lead sponsor is UWE and the Law Firm of the Year (with more than 15 partners) award is sponsored by Wesleyan.
The annual dinner takes place at the Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre.
The full shortlist is:
- Law Student of the Year: Otis Graham, University of Law; Scarlett Guy, UWE; Alvaro Loxton, UWE
- Support Team Member of the Year: Alexandra Hammond, Veale Wasbrough Vizards; Pip (Philippa) Lewis, Barcan+Kirby; Jane Morgan, Legal Services Bristol City Council
- Junior Lawyer of the Year: Lucy Baldwin, Paragon Costs; Gareth Hughes, Barcan+Kirby; Fiona McGhie, Irwin Mitchell
- Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year: Catherine Biggs, UWE; Terri Anson-Dean, TLT; Sabeena Pirooz, Lyons Davidson
- CSR Firm of the Year: Burges Salmon; Osborne Clarke; Wards
- Barrister of the Year: Hayley Griffiths, 3PB Barristers; Stephen Mooney, Albion Chambers; Lucy Reed, St John’s Chambers
- Chambers of the Year: No5 Chambers; Guildhall Chambers; St John’s Chambers
- Lawyer of the Year: Robin Denford, Bristol City Council; Claire Hurrell, Barcan+Kirby; Ashley Palminteri, The Family Law Practice
- Team of the Year: Clerking team, 3PB Barristers; Clerking team, Guildhall Chambers; Medical Negligence team (Bristol), Irwin Mitchell
- Law Firm – up to and including 15 Partners – of the Year: Barcan+Kirby, Pritchetts, The Family Law Practice
- Law Firm – over 15 Partners – of the Year: Royds Withy King, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, Foot Anstey
- President’s Outstanding Achievement Award: To be announced on the evening.
