The inaugural Women in Law Awards 2020 winners were revealed during a special online awards ceremony yesterday, on 11th November.
CMS, White & Case, Pinsent Masons and Allen & Overy were just some of the top law firms fielding winners at the Women in Law Awards. Dana Denis-Smith, Obelisk Support Founder and Chief Executive of Denis-Smith scooped the Special Contribution Award for her work spearheading The First 100 Years Project.
This project celebrated the 100th anniversary of the parliamentary act that allowed women to enter the legal profession. Award presenter and judge, Global Legal Post‘s Chief Executive Mary Heaney, said the project had “caught the imagination of the legal profession” by “highlighting the achievements of prominent women lawyers who have made it to the top despite the obstacles in their way”.
Mary Prior QC, a top criminal law advocate and Co-chair of Women in Criminal Law – Midlands and Chair of the Midland Circuit Social Mobility Programme, scooped this year’s Woman of the Year award. The judges felt she “eloquently described the challenges she faced becoming a top lawyer given a background that was far removed from that of the vast majority of her colleagues at the top of the profession”.
HONOURING INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENTS
Clare Wade QC was named Barrister/Advocate of the Year for being instrumental in highlighting the plight of victims of different facets of domestic violence including coercive behaviour. “It is an area of law that is still vastly underdeveloped, inconsistent and lacking in sufficient understanding,” according to the judges.
These awards not only celebrate success, but also challenge some of the cultural and business norms that continue to “hold women back in the legal profession”. According Incisive Media, the event 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 on how diversity can be improved by showcasing some forward-thinking initiatives. Watch the video below to see the awards ceremony.
2020 AWARD WINNERS
This year’s Women in Law Awards winners are as follows:
- Special Contribution Award: Dana Denis-Smith, Obelisk Support
- Woman of the Year: Mary Prior QC, The 36 Group
- Diversity Project of the Year: Simmons & Simmons
Highly Commended: Barclays - Gender Diversity Project of the Year: Allen & Overy
- Law Firm of the Year (Large Firms)” Shoosmiths
- Law Firm of the Year (Small/Medium Firms): Setford Solicitors
- Supplier of the Year: Obelisk Support
- Unsung Hero: Kate Emily Dodd, Pinsent Masons
- Rising Star – Legal Services Innovator of the Year: Twanieka Alcindor, Alcindor Law
- Rising Star – Barrister/Advocate of the Year: Dr Charlotte Proudman, Goldsmith
- Rising Star – In-house Lawyer of the Year: Charlotte Lakin, Global
- Rising Star – Private Practice Lawyer of the Year: Helen Soutter, Simmons & Simmons
- Outstanding Returner of the Year: Sarah Green, TLT
- Barrister/Advocate of the Year: Clare Wade QC, Garden Court
- Law Firm Leader of the Year: Penelope Warne, CMS
- In-house Lawyer of the Year: Sonia Janday, Aviva Investors
- Mentor of the Year: Lesley Gregory, Memery Crystal
- Male Diversity Champion of the Year: Christopher White, Aspiring Solicitors
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Mary Bonsor, F-LEX
- Legal Services Innovator of the Year: Catherine Calder, Serjeants’ Inn Highly Commended: Jant Hall, Mourant
- Litigator of the Year: Charlotte Razay, Michelmores
- Legal Adviser of the Year: Aarti Thakor, Charity Commission
- Dealmaker of the Year: Laura Sizemore, White & Case
The winners were chosen from more than 800 nominations. The Women in Law Awards are the latest in a series of diversity events delivered by Incisive Media, including The Women in Insurance Awards, The Women in Accountancy and Finance Awards and The Women in Investment Awards.
For more details on the Women in Law Awards 2020 finalists click here.
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