Annual Awards Dinner 2024

SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to an individual who has shown exceptional support in the delivery of legal services and who has demonstrated that they have gone above and beyond normal standards in their contribution to the organisation and/or commitment and dedication to clients and the legal sector, employees and internal support services

Judges will be looking for:

• Specific examples in the qualifying period of exceptional contribution which has had an impact on their internal organisation, fellow employees or clients; and
• Examples of contribution which may include amongst other things introduction of innovative practices, improved efficiencies, collaboration and impact on the organisation’s reputation.

PRO BONO AWARD

Awarded to an individual, firm, team, organisation, collaboration or network which has/have demonstrated a strong and dedicated commitment to the supply of pro bono work or the introduction of a pro bono initiative as set out in the Joint Pro Bono Protocol “legal advice of representation provided by lawyers in the public interest including to individuals, charities and community groups who cannot afford to pay for that advice or representation and where public and alternative means of funding are not available”

Judges will be looking for:

Evidence of benefit and impact(s) including:

• Description of the pro bono activity or initiative undertaken;
  • The identified need or the presenting problem(s);
  • The intended beneficiaries or clients;
  • The nature or type of legal work or advice given and/or action taken; and
  • The outcomes or impact(s) achieved;
  • A supporting testimonial (if appropriate).

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a junior lawyer (law student, paralegal, legal apprentice, trainee solicitor, pupil barrister, any CILEx, solicitor or barrister up to 3 years PQE) who can show exceptional endeavour (in their work and/or their studies) and who has made a significant impact within their firm or institution, in the legal sector and BLS’ local community in the early part of their career

Judges will be looking for:

An example of:

• A piece of work or project you have undertaken in the qualifying period that you are most proud of; and
• A piece of work or project which has impacted the legal sector or BLS’ local community.

In relation to each, explain the piece of work or project, the intended beneficiaries, and the outcomes/impacts

LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Awarded to an exceptional solicitor or CILEx (3PQE+ and above) who has made an outstanding contribution to their firm, client work and the legal sector and BLS’ local community

Judges will be looking for:

An example of:

• A piece of work or project you have undertaken in the qualifying period that you are most proud of; and
• A piece of work or project which has impacted the legal sector or BLS’ local community.

In relation to each, explain the piece of work or project, the intended beneficiaries, and the outcomes/impacts and demonstrated impact to furthering as their career progresses.

In all cases the judges will expect to see evidence that the individual has successfully taken a leading role rather than merely assisted.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a legal or support team from private practice, Chambers, or in-house that has made an outstanding contribution either in their organisation, to the legal sector or the BLS’ community

Judges will be looking for:

• Outline a minimum of two specific matters (or projects) your team has handled during the qualifying period and explain why it had a major impact on your team and organisation and your internal or external client;
• How you provide client service excellence in all that you do;
• Innovation in what the team does and offers;
• Impact on the legal sector or the BLS community.

DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND WELLBEING INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

Awarded to an individual, team, organisation from private practice, Chambers, in-house, collaboration or a network which can showcase successful and innovative examples of initiatives around the promotion of equality diversity and inclusion within their organisations and/or those who have demonstrated a strong commitment to providing or promoting an inclusive working environment that supports the mental any physical wellbeing of its people as a core vale of its business culture

Judges will be looking for:

One example of how your organisation/network can demonstrate that your equality, diversity and inclusion and/or mental health and wellbeing initiative leaves a lasting legacy including:

• List the specific challenges/obstacles faced and overcome;
• Outline the impact and results achieved from the above activity (with testimonial evidence if applicable);
• How was the initiative innovative or disruptive;
• How the initiative showed a continuing commitment to diversity and inclusion/wellbeing;
• Scale and ambition – what’s next for the organisation/individual?

COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD

Awarded to a firm (or a network/collaboration of law firm(s)) that has shown a notable impact over the last twelve months, while supporting causes or projects in the Bristol/Bath region relating to the community engagement and corporate and social responsibility

Judges will be looking for:

• Details of your organisation’s CSR/responsible business strategy, its objectives and how the firm or network has championed them;
• An example of how those strategies will leave a lasting legacy both internally and externally.
  Focusing on one specific initiative, explain the tangible results achieved.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

This award recognises the law firm or Chambers which has demonstrated the strongest commitment over the qualifying period to improving the environmental sustainability of its operations and activities

Judges will be looking for:

• Clearly defined strategy and demonstrable results;
• Measurable reductions in their carbon footprint and other environmental wins;
• Supply chain consciousness;
• Embedded values that are communicated to key stakeholders;
• Full staff engagement in sustainability initiatives.

LEGAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR

This award recognises law firms, in-house teams and Chambers that are innovating and changing the way legal products and services are delivered (both internally and to the client), or shifting business models to meet changing client demands. This award recognises both legal technology and non-tech based initiatives

Judges will be looking for:

• Details of the idea/innovation and the target market;
  • How the original idea was conceived, who was involved and how the idea developed into the final product;
  • How the idea was evaluated, tested and trialled during the development process; and
  • The tangible and intangible results which have been achieved and how these have been measured.

CHAMBERS OF THE YEAR

Awarded to a Chambers that is able to demonstrate excellence and innovation in the provision of legal services above and beyond their colleagues in the field

Judges will be looking for:

• Details of two examples of notable Bristol/Bath based matters in the qualifying period and explain why it has given your Chambers a sense of pride and satisfaction;
• In what ways is Chambers practicing and championing client care;
• How is Chambers making a positive difference in the wider community;
• What recognition has Chambers received from third parties;
• What steps have you taken to ensuring the wellbeing of your people and what active measures do you take to ensure equality diversity and inclusion in your Chambers.

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (BOUTIQUE)

Awarded to a firm with a significant presence within Bristol/Bath region with 3 or fewer niche practice areas that is able to demonstrate excellence in those practice areas and within the legal sector and the community and has experienced significant development during the year

Judges will be looking for:

• Two Bristol/Bath based highlights from the qualifying period;
• Demonstrable growth – (e.g. financial performance, a successful merger/acquisition, successful expansion
• Differentiating itself from its competitors by the way it provides its services to its clients (e.g. new client wins, or work wins);
• Any local communities that have benefited from the firm’s CSR initiatives;
• How diversity within the firm is recognised and promoted (e.g. what policies/procedures the firm has in place to attract and then retain staff);
• Ways in which the firm helps showcase Bristol/Bath legal talent in our region.

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (REGIONAL)

Awarded to a firm exclusively based in the Bristol/Bath region that is able to demonstrate excellence in those practice areas and within the legal sector and the community and has experienced significant development during the year

Judges will be looking for:

• Two Bristol/Bath based highlights from the qualifying period;
• Demonstrable growth – (e.g. financial performance, a successful merger/acquisition, successful expansion
• Differentiating itself from its competitors by the way it provides its services to its clients (e.g. new client wins, or work wins);
• Any local communities that have benefited from the firm’s CSR initiatives;
• How diversity within the firm is recognised and promoted (e.g. what policies/procedures the firm has in place to attract and then retain staff);
• Ways in which the firm helps showcase Bristol/Bath legal talent in our region

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (NATIONAL)

Awarded to a firm with at least one office in Bristol/Bath region that is able to demonstrate excellence in those practice areas and within the legal sector and the community and has experienced significant development during the year

Judges will be looking for:

• Two Bristol/Bath based highlights from the qualifying period;
• Demonstrable growth – (e.g. financial performance, a successful merger/acquisition, successful expansion;
• Differentiating itself from its competitors by the way it provides its services to its clients (e.g. new client wins, or work wins);
• Any local communities that have benefited from the firm’s CSR initiatives;
• How diversity within the firm is recognised and promoted (e.g. what policies/procedures the firm has in place to attract and then retain staff);
• Ways in which being a National firm help the firm’s clients and help showcase Bristol/Bath legal talent on the national stage

PRESIDENT’S OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the legal sector, their organisation and/or clients whether that be on a one-off basis or over the course of their career