LexisNexis Legal & Professional, a leading global provider of information and analytics, today announced that over 500 family lawyers enjoyed a sparkling evening at the seventh annual Family Law Awards last night at the Ballroom South Bank in London. Finalists, sponsors and guests celebrated the hard work, commitment and successes throughout the year of the nominees and the family law profession as a whole.
Sir Mark Hedley once again expertly hosted the event during which awards were presented across 19 categories. The shortlist and winners were chosen by a judging panel made up of the heads of the Family Law Bar Association, Resolution, CILEx and the Association of Lawyers for Children, along with Family Law and LexisNexis editors and executives.
The 2017 charity partner was the National Pro Bono Centre, the ‘hub’ for legal pro bono charities across the legal sector. Representatives of the Centre selected the winner of the Family Law Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year award, which was awarded to Alex Laing of Coram Chambers.
The prestigious Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law, sponsored by 4 Paper Buildings, was awarded to the late Sir Nicholas Wall, former President of the Family Law Division. Accepting the award, Lady Margaret Wall announced that the family has set up an Annual Lecture in Sir Nicholas’s name, the first of which will be given by Lady Hale in May 2018.
Christian Fleck, Managing Director, LexisNexis UK & Ireland, said: “The Family Law Awards are designed to champion the truly exceptional achievements of family lawyers across the profession. I’m honoured that so many have joined us to celebrate this evening as we turn the spotlight on their valuable work. Our congratulations to all those nominated and shortlisted for their efforts, and our thanks to the judges and all those who took the time to nominate.”
This year’s event was generously sponsored by: 1 Crown Office Row; 1 Garden Court Family Law Chambers; 3 Paper Buildings; 4 Paper Buildings; Brewin Dolphin; Coram Chambers; Dawson Cornwell; DNA Legal; Goldsmith Chambers; Harcourt Chambers; Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth; RateSetter; Rayden Solicitors and Smith & Williamson.
Photos of the winners are available on the Family Law Awards website: www.familylawawards.com
| Family Law Chartered Legal Executive or Paralegal of the Year | Kerri Gregory, Field Overell LLP |
| Family Law Commentator of the Year | Andrew Newbury, Hall Brown Family Law |
| Family Law Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year | Alex Laing, Coram Chambers |
| International Family Lawyer of the Year | Henry Setright QC, 4 Paper Buildings |
| Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law | Sir Nicholas Wall |
| Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year | Lucy Hoare, Hecht Montgomery Solicitors |
| Family Law Young Barrister of the Year | Indu Kumar, 4 Paper Buildings |
| Family Law Associate Solicitor of the Year | David Lister, Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth |
| Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year | Katy Rensten, Coram Chambers |
| Family Law Partner of the Year | Peter Watson-Lee, Williams Thompson Solicitors |
| Family Law QC of the Year | David Williams QC (appointed The Rt Hon Justice Williams in October 2017) |
| Clerking Team of the Year | 36 Family |
| Family Law Firm of the Year – London | Forsters LLP |
| Family Law Firm of the Year – Midlands | Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth |
| Family Law Firm of the Year – North | MSB Solicitors |
| Family Law Firm of the Year – South | Rayden Solicitors |
| Family Law Firm of the Year – Wales | Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice |
| Family Law Regional Chambers of the Year | Park Square Barristers |
| Family Law London Chambers of the Year | 4 Paper Buildings |
