Celebrating 20 years: Yorkshire Legal Awards 2019 winners revealed

Ridley & Hall, Ramsdens and Eversheds Sutherland were among the law firms recognised as the region’s best at the 20th Yorkshire Legal Awards last night.

More than 20 winners picked up 25 awards during the ceremony at New Dock Hall in Leeds, where attendees celebrated the successes of the past 12 months and what was the 20th anniversary of Yorkshire’s premier legal event.

Mark Dugdale, editor of Yorkshire Legal News, congratulated the winners and finalists for setting such a high standard over the past 20 years. He continued: “It’s important to recognise that this milestone couldn’t have been achieved without the work that the Yorkshire legal sector does on a daily basis—for clients in fields as diverse as intellectual property and criminal law. Yorkshire’s lawyers are their representatives and their counsel, advisers and champions. Every lawyer and firm in Yorkshire deserves an event like this, to recognise their effort and hardwork—and for another 20 years to come.”

In his speech at the Yorkshire Legal Awards last night, Paul Singh, immediate past president of Sheffield & District Law Society and chair of the 2019 judging panel, said: “It was a pleasure to read through all the submissions and learn what dizzy heights local Yorkshire firms have achieved over the last year and the huge impact they have had on the wider community.”

YLA 19 winners

Ridley & Hall, Ramsdens and Eversheds Sutherland won the small, medium and large categories, respectively.

Law Firm of the Year: Small

Law Firm of the Year: Medium

Law Firm of the Year: Large

Thrive Law was recognised for its work on diversity and inclusion, and Torque Law was named Niche Law Firm of the Year.

Diversity & Inclusion Award

Niche Law Firm of the Year

The In-House Team of the Year award went to Drax Group and Spire Barristers picked up 2019’s Chambers of the Year.

In-House Team of the Year

Chambers of the Year

The practice-specific prizes were awarded as follows:

Employment Law Award: Chadwick Lawrence

Banking & Finance Law Award: Clarion

Regulatory & Compliance Award: DWF

Residential Property Award: PM Property Lawyers

Commercial Property Award: Walker Morris

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Award: Stewarts

Debt Recovery Award: DWF

Family Law Award: Irwin Mitchell

Corporate & Commercial Award: Addleshaw Goddard

Criminal Law Award: Park Square Barristers

Intellectual Property Award: Walker Morris

Private Client Award: Roche Legal

Yorkshire’s top lawyers were also recognised at the 20th Yorkshire Legal Awards. Partner of the Year and Managing Partner of the Year went to Richard Obank of DLA Piper and Tim Halstead of Shulmans, respectively.

Partner of the Year

Managing Partner of the Year

The region’s current and future stars were named as Sadie Simpson of Switalskis Solicitors, who won Rising Star of the Year, and Annie Beaumont of Blacks Solicitors was named as this year’s Trainee Solicitor of the Year.

Rising Star of the Year

Trainee Solicitor of the Year

The coveted Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year award went to Kama Melly QC of Park Square Barristers. The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to the late Mary Butler of Bell & Buxton, who passed away earlier this year.

Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year