The Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024 celebrated 25 years of legal excellence, highlighting outstanding contributions across the sector.
- Held at the Leeds First Direct Arena, the event brought together regional legal professionals for a memorable evening.
- Significant awards were presented, recognising firms and individuals for their achievements and innovative practices.
- Major winners included DAC Beachcroft, Clarion, and Switalskis, honoured for their efforts in various legal domains.
- The event also acknowledged environmental efforts and social responsibility within the legal community.
The Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024 celebrated 25 years of excellence in the legal field, honouring the contributions and accomplishments of legal professionals throughout the region. The event took place at the Leeds First Direct Arena, gathering an array of lawyers, firms, and teams for a memorable evening hosted by TV personality Rob Rinder. The awards recognised successes in numerous categories, with firms and individuals acknowledged for their substantial impacts in the sector.
Bringing together distinguished personalities from the legal community, the evening was marked by various key recognitions. DAC Beachcroft received the Commercial Property Award, praised for their adept use of technology, enhancing client satisfaction. Clarion made a notable impact in the Corporate & Commercial category due to their customer-centric strategies and stellar national standing.
Switalskis emerged as a significant winner, securing two awards. They were praised for their criminal law work, particularly in rehabilitating former prisoners, and for their success in high-profile litigation and dispute resolution cases. In family law, Stewarts was lauded for their pro bono efforts and support for local charities, underscoring their commitment to social responsibility.
Academic and individual prowess were also acknowledged. James Love of Womble Bond Dickinson received the Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year title for his impressive professional trajectory and voluntary contributions, while Jodie Hill of Thrive Law was named Managing Partner of the Year, celebrated for her dedication to employee wellbeing. Sofia Wyzkiewicz from DLA Piper, as Rising Star of the Year, illustrated exceptional leadership potential within her firm.
The celebration extended to environmentally conscious initiatives. Eversheds Sutherland clinched the Best ESG Campaign Award for their committed journey to achieve Net Zero by 2050. Additionally, Mills & Reeve were distinguished as Law Firm of the Year: Large, appreciated for their international projects, philanthropic ventures, and robust growth.
Smaller legal entities were not left unnoticed, with Howard & Byrne Solicitors receiving recognition as Small Law Firm of the Year for their invaluable service to those needing legal support the most. Torque Law earned the title of Niche Law Firm of the Year, highlighted for their dedicated service to international clients.
The 25th Yorkshire Legal Awards was a landmark event, underscoring the vast talent and dedication within the legal community. Harry Thomas, a key figure from the organising team, extolled the evening’s success, expressing enthusiasm for the continuing tradition of recognising excellence in the legal profession.
The Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024 successfully highlighted the exceptional talent and significant achievements within the legal community.
