Schofield Sweeney and Clarion react to Yorkshire Legal Awards wins

Clarion’s Law Firm of the Year: Medium win at the Yorkshire Legal Awards this week “holds a special place in our hearts”, said joint managing partner Roger Hutton, while Darren Birkinshaw, partner at Schofield Sweeney, described his firm’s success in two categories as a “pleasure”.

Both lawyers were reacting to their firms’ wins at the virtual Yorkshire Legal Awards 2020 on 15 December, where the profession celebrated the successes of the past 12 months.

The annual event moved online this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. It will return to New Dock Hall in Leeds on 7 October 2021.

Clarion won Law Firm of the Year: Medium, with the judges describing the firm as very much a local success story. Its corporate and commercial practice was also shortlisted.

Hutton (pictured) said: “Over the years, we’ve won many awards, including a number of categories at the Yorkshire Legal Awards, but it is the first time that we have been named Law Firm of the Year by the regional legal community and it holds a special place in our hearts.”

“I am inordinately proud of our team and what we have achieved, particularly in such a tumultuous year—the strength of the supportive Clarion culture has really shone through and I would like to thank every one of my colleagues for the part they have played.”

“I would also like to take the opportunity to highlight how fortunate we are to be part of such a dynamic and talented professional community here in Yorkshire—it is a stand-out region for legal excellence which is a great platform from which to win national and international work.”

Schofield Sweeney, meanwhile, took home the Commercial Property Award and the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Award. The judges said this firm has gone from strength to strength over the past few years.

Birkinshaw, who is a commercial property partner, said: “It’s a pleasure to win both awards this year. It is a testament to the teams and the firm for all the hard work in an unusual year. We are really proud of what we have achieved and the people at the firm who make us what we are!”

James Staton, partner in the dispute resolution team at Schofield Sweeney, added: “In what has been an unusually challenging year, our teams right across the firm have been busy and focused. We are particularly delighted with the recognition of our firm-wide efforts and commitment to client service.”

“This is an award that recognises the strength in depth of our team and the hard work that everyone has contributed to the success the team achieves for its clients.”