Region’s legal best awarded and applauded
SOME of the region’s most talented legal professionals were recognised for their professional achievements last night at this year’s Yorkshire Lawyer awards.
More than 300 lawyers attended the event at Rudding Park in Harrogate, which is now in its eighth year.
But it was Neil McLean of DLA Piper, who walked away with the prestigious title Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year.
Mr McLean was chosen in recognition of nearly 30 years’ service to the legal profession.
Judges said that he was considered to be one of the North’s leading real estate lawyers, and had been involved in development and regeneration projects that had significantly transformed the appearance, and very nature, of cities across Yorkshire.
Mr McLean was quick to acknowledge the support he had received over the last three decades.
“Throughout my career I’ve been very lucky to have been given opportunities and encouragement,” he said.
“Even in very difficult times have got to give bright young talent the same opportunities. They are the future of what we do.”
He also said that without a good team success was impossible.
“From the office girls and receptionists to partners of the firm, it doesn’t matter how good you are you’re not going to be enough without them.”
Among the night’s other winners were Switalski’s Solicitors (law firm 1-30 partners), Pinsent Masons (law firm 31+partners), Ridley and Hall Solicitors (specialist law firm), Chris Caulfield of Hammonds (rising star award), and Julia Rangecroft of McCormicks & Co (private client award).
The newly created presidents’ award was presented to Robert Heslett of Beachcroft and vice president of the Law Society.
Jonathan Procter of DLA Piper won the corporate finance award, Shulman’s real estate team took the real estate award), while Addleshaw Goddard’s Leeds-based contentious team claimed the dispute resolution award.
The Manuel Bravo Project won the enterprise award. The project, which was originally headed by DLA but now has the support of numerous legal firms around the region including Eversheds, offers free legal advice to immigrants seeking asylum.
It was inspired by the tragic suicide of an asylum seeker and father whose legal representation failed to show at his trial.
As a result he was refused asylum and was to be deported back to Africa. To protect his children from that fate he took his own life.
Paul Stone, the DLA partner who accepted the award, said that the prize would not only help gain more recognition for the valuable project but was a chance to raise its profile with the region’s lawyers.
“The concept of due process and a fair trial is something that should be in the heart of every legal professional,” he said.
“The project offers support and help to lawyers who do not specialise in immigration law to get training and skills to provide asylum seekers without access to legal aid representation.”
The event was organised by Barker Brooks and supported by the Leeds Law Society.
Sponsors included Wesleyan for Lawyers, Intaforensics; PSG; Henderson Insurance Brokers, Data Genetics International, Conveyancing Liability Solutions, SearchFlow, Fraser & Fraser, Olympus, QC Legal, Oyezstraker Group and TheBusinessDesk.com
As well as honouring hard work and talent in the Yorkshire legal profession, the awards again raised money for local charity, the Macmillan Dales Unit at Harrogate District Hospital.
It was hosted by ITV’s Gaynor Barnes.
