President, Coralie McKeivor, Bristol Legal Awards 2025 Speech
Watch Coralie's speech here or read the transcript below.
Good evening everyone and welcome to the Bristol Legal Awards 2025.
You may have noticed that we look a little bit different this year, but the purpose of this evening is the same.
This event allows us the opportunity to come together with colleagues across the legal sector and celebrate the achievements of our members over the past 12 months and, as you will have just seen from the slideshow, an opportunity to celebrate our community and the collaboration between members, firms, and other organisations.
These have been key themes for my presidential year, alongside promoting an inclusive and accessible legal profession, and I am delighted that everyone has embraced these themes with me.
You may have noticed that Clair has been doing sign language here behind me as she has recently started learning British Sign Language. Thank you, Clair, for your support and for deaf awareness.
Absent Friends
Before I talk about the year itself, I do want to pause for a moment to remember a few much-loved members of our community who we sadly lost over the past year.
We were deeply saddened by the passing of Robert Bourns, Partner at TLT, former President of both Bristol Law Society and The Law Society of England and Wales, and a previous recipient of
the President’s Outstanding Achievement Award. Robert’s contribution to our profession both locally and nationally was immense, and his generosity of spirit will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.
This year we also lost Edward Langford of Knights and Rebecca Stevens of RWK Goodman - both highly respected colleagues and friends within the Bristol legal community. They each left a mark on our profession.
Please join me, just for a brief moment, in remembering Robert, Edward, and Rebecca — and all absent friends.
Reflections
As I approach the end of my presidential year, it feels right to look back on where we began.
My original vision was simple: to strengthen our community, collaborate and celebrate our shared achievements, and ensure our profession remains inclusive, innovative, and impactful.
Almost, a year later, I’m proud to say that we have done this. Together we’ve strengthened our voice, expanded engagement across the region and nationally, and opened up new ways for people to get involved.
Highlights of the Year
There are lots of amazing things I could mention and not enough time, so I just wanted to pick up on two highlights.
The first has been completing the first year of our BLS SQE Scholarship Scheme. Our partnership with the College of Legal Practice was first announced by Stuart Henry at the awards dinner last year, and our first scholarship covering course fees was awarded to Roisin Millard, who’s here with us tonight. Congratulations, Roisin.
Since then, we’ve secured additional funding from the SRA, to support candidates with SQE exam costs. As a result, we’ve also been able to cover Roisin’s SQE1 exam fees and set aside funding for a few other aspiring lawyers who have been successful following our recent round of interviews and we are finalising the terms of awards we will be making.
Sustainability
Sustainability has also been a major focus this year — and we’re proud of the progress we’re making.
This year, Bristol Law Society and Landmark Information have joined forces to help law firms of all sizes begin their journey toward Net Zero. We’re working with Ecologi as part of our own commitment and BLS has begun collecting and recording our emissions data and is in the process of setting clear Net Zero goals for the Society itself.
Here at the Awards, we’ve made several changes to reflect that commitment. We’ve reduced printed materials and moved most content online [thanks to Conscious for our new website] via QR code — please do make sure that you scan the QR codes which can be found on your tables and around the room to access the full information about this evening.
Our menu this evening is seasonal, locally sourced, and inclusive, with pre-orders and precise numbers to reduce food waste and our new UV-printed glass awards which will be revealed shortly have lower emissions and minimal waste. Even the canvas set behind me gets used as arts materials for a local children’s charity
Building on this, we’ll shortly be launching our Green Badge Initiative — a new programme designed to support and celebrate firms on their sustainability journey. We’ve sent a survey to firms, and we hope many of you can join us for our roundtable event on 18th November which is the official launch of the initiative and will help shape it going forward.
Celebrating You
There is a lot going on.. but the focus of this evening is celebrating you.
To every nominee and everyone shortlisted tonight: congratulations. The standard climbs every year, and our judges really did earn their dinner. Whether or not your name is called, your work has made a difference.
Charity of the Year
During the course of this evening, you’ll also be invited to make a real difference by supporting my chosen Charity of the Year — Young Lives vs Cancer.
They are the only UK charity with specialist social workers who provide tailored emotional, practical, and financial support to children and young people with cancer and their families. Here in Bristol, their team supports dozens of families every year. They provide free accommodation through their two Homes from Home so families can stay close to hospital while their child receives treatment. Thanks to all of you who brought donations tonight.
We’ll once again thanks to Mark Smith at Titcombe Bespoke Jewellery be putting a diamond up for grabs this evening in our charity raffle. There are also a few other prizes up for grabs this year — so please do give generously as we sell the tickets during dinner.
My Thanks
Sponsors
This evening would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. My sincere thanks go to them for their continued support — not just tonight, but throughout the year. You make so many of our events possible, including this flagship annual celebration.
Many of you have been long-term supporters of Bristol Law Society, and some of you are just beginning your journey with us — we are truly grateful to each of you for your commitment and partnership.
Host
My thanks also to Dana Denis-Smith for joining us to present the awards this evening. It is a pleasure to have you with us here in Bristol, and we look forward to hearing from you later tonight.
Team
Thank you to the team involved in organising this event — Helen, Clair, Ceri, Justin and the AV team, Josh our MC and John Moriarty as well as the team at the Delta Marriott hotel. Without them, none of this would happen. A particular thank you for the extra work that has gone into the rebrand this year — which started back in January and has continued right up to this week with the final tweaks!
Members
To our members thank you for your continued support. Not just through your membership, but through the time, energy, and ideas you give.
Your proactive involvement as our council and committee volunteers is what allows Bristol Law Society to represent and shape our profession.
Judges
My grateful thanks also go to our judges this year, who gave up their time to review an outstanding number of high-quality nominations. The standard of entries keeps rising, and your thoughtful deliberations ensure that recognition tonight is fair and well deserved.
Personal
On a personal note, I would like to say an additional thank you to the BLS Executive Team and my Vice President, Salma, who have supported me throughout the year; to the presidents and officers of the other regional law societies for always making me feel welcome when visiting your cities; and to my firm, Freeths, for supporting me in my year as President — from allowing me the flexibility to juggle both roles to the additional support they’ve provided to BLS generally. In particular, Michael Bray and the rest of my team, some of whom are here this evening.
And a thank you to my husband Jamie, for his patience and support and ability to juggle two jobs as well as doggy day care, all so that I could be more present both at work and represent Bristol Law Society.
Closing
But enough from me — we have awards to present and a charity to support. Thank you — and have a fantastic night.