Women legal leaders head Law Society nominations
FOUR women North West law firm leaders are in the running for a prestigious national award.
The quartet shortlisted in the Law Society Excellence Awards Legal Business Woman of the Year category are: Karen Jackson of Wilmslow firm Robert Jackson, which recently sold a stake to private equity firm NorthEdge Capital; Joy Kingsley, senior partner of fast-growing Manchester-based JMW Solicitors; Emma Nawaz, founder of niche Hale-based dispute resolution practice Blackstone Solicitors and Christine Thornley of Stockport-based Gorvins.
The fact that four out of 10 finalists are based in the region – the only category where there is such strong regional respresentation – is a testament to the leadership, vision and entrepreneurial spirit of the women involved.
It has been a landmark few months for Karen Jackson in particular after the firm she founded with her husband concluded a £15m deal with Manchester-based investor NorthEdge.
Robert Jackson is also shortlisted in two further categories – Lorna Vanderkamp is in the running for private practice solicitor of the year, while the firm is nominated in the excellence in learning and development category.
Gorvins’ Christine Thornley is also nominated for the private practice solicitor, while the firm is one of eight on the shortlist in the excellence in marketing and communications.
There are multiple nominations too for Bott and Co, which has offices in Wilmslow, London, Manchester and Leeds. Senior partner and co-founder David Bott is up for the The Law Society Gazette legal personality of the year award and the firm is up for the excellence in marketing & communications title.
Meanwhile Paul Maddock, a trainee at national firm DWF’s Liverpool office is nominated in the junior lawyer of the year award.
Also earning a maiden nomination is newly created Manchester firm Pannone Corporate. The practice, formed after Slater & Gordon’s acqusition of the bulk of its former practice, is shortlisted for the Lexcel Award for Excellence in Practice Management along with Blackpool-based firm Blackhurst Budd.
The winners will be announced on October 9 at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster Bridge, London.
