The Women in Law Awards, organised by Incisive Media, have announced 2020’s finalists. The Women in Law Awards 2020 not only celebrate success, but also challenge some of the cultural and business norms that continue to “hold women back in the legal profession” (as reported).
According to the organiser, these awards aim to honour the inspiring achievements of women across all segments of the legal industry. They also help to shape the discussion around how diversity can be improved by showcasing some of the most forward-thinking initiatives.
THE FINALISTS
The winners – chosen from more than 800 nominations – will be announced at the virtual ceremony taking place on Wednesday 11th November.
The 2020 finalists are as follows:
Law Firm of the Year (Large firms):
- Baker McKenzie
- CMS
- Hill Dickinson
- Shoosmiths
- Simmons & Simmons
Law Firm of the Year (Small/medium firms)
- Brown Turner Ross
- Hek Jones Solicitors
- New Quadrant Partners
- Setfords Solicitors
- Tapestry Compliance
Supplier of the Year
- Bar Squared
- LOD
- Obelisk Support
- Women in the Law UK
Gender Diversity Project of the Year
- Allen & Overy
- Baker McKenzie
- Clyde & Co
- Hill Dickinson
- Obelisk Support
- Simmons & Simmons
Diversity Project of the Year
- Allen & Overy
- Barclays
- Garden Court Chambers
- Paul Hastings
- Simons & Simmons
Woman of the Year
- Clare Wade QC, Garden Court Chambers
- Dr Charlotte Proudman, Goldsmith Chambers
- Hannah Megan Markham QC, The 36 Group
- Laura Sizemore, White & Case
- Mary Prior QC, The 36 Group
- Melanie Hall QC, Monckton Chambers
- Penelope Warne, CMS
- Sally Penni, Kenworthys Chambers
- Sonia Janday, Aviva
- Theresa Mohammed, Trowers & Hamlins
Male Diversity Champion of the Year
- Anthony David Erwin Metzer, Goldsmith Chambers
- Christopher White, Aspiring Solicitors
- Colin Passmore, Simmons & Simmons
- Julian Smart, BLM
- Michael Cavers, CMS
- Naga Kandiah, MTC Solicitors
- Richard Miskella, Lewis Silkin
Law Firm Leader of the Year
- Elizabeth Ward, Virtuoso Legal
- Helen Johnson, Johnson Astills
- Karen Seward, Allen & Overy
- Lauren Mercurius-Taylor, MTC Solicitors
- Lesley Gregory, Memery Crystal
- Penelope Warne, CMS
- Sharon Montgomery, Crane & Staples
- Sue McLean, Baker McKenzie
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Annmarie Carvalho, The Carvalho Consultancy
- Catherine Watkins, Newbold Solicitors
- Charlotte Lakin, inlaw
- Edyta Knizewska, FIT Legal Solutions
- Janet Cooper OBE, Tapestry Compliance
- Karen Holden, A City Law Firm
- Katy Margaret Low, Vero Law
- Kim Simmonds, Law 365
- Mary Bonsor, F-LEX
- Samantha Woodham, The Divorce Surgery
Mentor of the Year
- Bavita Rai, Weightmans
- Catherine Calder, Serjeants’ Inn Chambers
- Chrissie Wolfe, Irwin Mitchell
- Claire Debney, The MOSAIC Collective
- Jennie Dorsaint, Paul Hastings
- Julia Smart QC, Furnival Chambers
- Lesley Gregory, Memery Crystal
- Michal Freeman-Shor, Shoosmiths
- Ronit Kreisberger QC, Monckton Chambers
- Russell Johnstone, BT
- Ruth Reid, 3 Temple Gardens
Outstanding Returner of the Year
- Amandeep Khasriya, Moore Barlow
- Dwynwen Lewis, Trowers & Hamlins
- Eleanor Ludlam, DAC Beachcroft
- Emily Agnoli, Simmons & Simmons
- Jenny Broderick, Squire Patton Boggs
- Jo Elliot, Allen & Overy
- Lucy Shepherd, Shoosmiths
- Sarah Green, TLT
- Sarah Pinder, Goldsmith Chambers
- Victoria Gallagher, Newbold Solicitors
Barrister/Advocate of the Year
- Aadhithya Anbahan, St Ives Chambers
- Anneli Howard, Monckton Chambers
- Brie Stevens-Hoare QC, Hardwicke Chambers
- Clare Wade QC, Garden Court Chambers
- Julia Smart QC, Furnival Chambers
- Laurie-Anne Power, 25 Bedford Row
- Mary Prior QC, The 36 Group
- Melanie Hall QC, Monckton Chambers
- Sanaz Saifolahi, Goldsmith Chambers
- Schona Jolly QC, Cloisters Chambers
Dealmaker of the Year
- Amy Mahon, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
- Annabelle Croker, Allen & Overy
- Anu Balasubramanian, Paul Hastings
- Clare Thomas, CMS
- Diala Minott, Paul Hastings
- Gillian Holgate, Allen & Overy
- Kavita Patel, Shakespeare Martineau
- Laura Sizemore, White & Case
- Lesley Gregory, Memery Crystal
- Pauline Rigby, Forbes Solicitors
Legal Advisor of the Year
- Aalia Datoo, Macfarlanes
- Angela Bowman, Shoosmiths
- Anne Thomson, FBC Manby Bowdler
- Attia Zubaida Hussain, Crane & Staples
- Claire Louise Petts, Clyde & Co
- Marilyn McKeever, New Quadrant Partners
- Smita Jamdar, Shakespeare Martineau
- Suzanne Horne, Paul Hastings
Litigator of the Year
- Alexandra Marie Payne, BLM
- Angela Dawn Bowman, Shoosmiths
- Charlotte Razay, Michelmores
- Joanna Ludlam, Baker McKenzie
- Kim Roberts, King and Spalding International
- Rebecca Williams, Watson Farley & Williams
In-house Lawyer of the Year
- Aarti Thakor, Charity Commission
- Angharad Price, Equality and Human Rights Commission
- Audrey Fotheringham, BT
- Caroline Halliday, Schroders
- Dana Grey, Pension Protection Fund
- Deborah Smith, Goldman Sachs
- Emma Reid, Sports Direct
- Nuzhat Gould, Metropolitan Police Service
- Sonia Janday, Aviva
Legal Services Innovator of the Year
- Annmarie Carvalho, The Carvalho Consultancy
- Catherine Calder, Serjeants’ Inn Chambers
- Erica Albertson, Simmons & Simmons
- Janet Hall, Mourant
- Kehinde Boateng, Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft LLP
- Kirstie Penk, The Legal Director Limited
- Lisa Charles, Zest recruitment and consultancy
- Mandeep Chima, Shoosmiths
- Nikki Alderson, Nikki Alderson Coaching
- Siân Ashton, TLT
Rising Star – Private Practice Lawyer of the Year
- Adeena Wells, Bird & Bird
- Clare Birchenhough, Ince
- Helen Soutter, Simmons & Simmons
- Leona Wyn Roberts, Slater and Gordon
- Michelle Chapman, Irwin Mitchell
- Naomi Parkin, Squire Patton Boggs
- Olivia Butcher, Allen & Overy
- Rachel Welch-Phillips, Bird & Bird
- Samantha Leung, Irwin Mitchell
- Shanika Varga, Stowe Family Law
- Stephanie Kay, Lewis Silkin
Rising Star – In-house Lawyer of the Year
- Charlotte Lakin, Global
- Christina Hogarth, GRIDSERVE Sustainable Energy
- Mehnaz Zulfikar, Lime Group
- Nikita Potdar, EY
Rising Star – Barrister/Advocate of the Year
- Beth Collett, 8 New Square
- Catherine Rose, The 36 Group
- Charlotte Bayati, Goldsmith Chambers
- Dr Charlotte Proudman, Goldsmith Chambers
- Imogen Proud, Monckton Chambers
- Jo Moore, 1 Crown Office Row Chambers (1COR)
- Libby Anderson, Charter Chambers
- Onyója Momoh, 5 Pump Court Chambers
- Sangeetha Iengar, Goldsmith Chambers
Rising Star – Legal Services Innovator of the Year
- Gabrielle Williams, Crane & Staples
- Lisa Charles, Zest Recruitment and Consultancy
- Twanieka Alcindor, Alcindor Law (Tuckers Solicitors)
Unsung Hero
- Audrey Fotheringham, BT
- Caroline Spencer-Boulton, 24:7 Criminal Defence
- Christine Cheetham, BLM
- Dawn Fisher, BT
- Emma Reid, Sports Direct
- Jacqueline Chase, Essex Court Chambers
- Kate Emily Dodd, Pinsent Masons LLP
- Lucy Shepherd, Shoosmiths
- Michelle Simpson, 36 Group
- Saiqa Chaudhry, New Court Chambers
The Special Contribution Award will be announced at the awards ceremony.
Click here for more information on finalists and awards ceremony.
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