Welcome to the Manchester Legal Awards

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their entries across our 23 categories. Secure your place now – book your tickets today!

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The shortlist is announced for the 2025 Manchester Legal Awards!

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Manchester Legal Awards. This year we received more entries than ever before and all were of an exceptionally high standard.

Congratulations to those who made the shortlist, which you can find below.

The awards culminate in a black-tie ceremony on Thursday 3^rd July at the iconic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester – a night of recognition, networking, and celebration.

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Media partner

Event host

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2025 awards shortlist

Congratulations to this year’s shortlisted nominees.

Barrister/KC of the Year

Tom Gosling, 23 Essex Street Chambers
Natasha Khalique, Exchange Chambers
Ravi Sethi, The Barrister Group

Barristers Chambers of the Year

18 SJS Chambers
Deans Court Chambers
St John’s Buildings Chambers

Corporate / Commercial – Team of the Year

Beyond Corporate Law
Eversheds Sutherland (International) UK
Myerson Solicitors
Slater Heelis

Corporate Culture & Wellbeing Champions of the Year

Brabners LLP
Fletchers Solicitors
Leigh Day

Crime Team of the Year

Burton Copeland Ltd
JMW
Olliers Solicitors
Slater Heelis

Employment Team of the Year

Leigh Day
Lewis Silkin
Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd
TLT LLP

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champions of the Year

Clyde & Co
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Gateley

Family Law Team of the Year

Hall Brown Family Law
IMD Solicitors LLP
Vardags

In-house Team of the Year

ASM Global
Lookers
Odeon
Oliver James

Law Firm of the Year – Small (1-5 partners)

Irwell Law
Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd
Private Client Solicitors
Venus Legal

Law Firm of the Year – Medium (5-20 partners)

HCC Solicitors
Hudgell Solicitors
IMD Solicitors LLP
Leigh Day

Law Firm of the Year – Large (20+ partners)

Brabners LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) UK
Mills & Reeve
Myerson Solicitors

Litigation Team of the Year

Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) UK
TLT LLP

Partner of the Year

Nick Hodson, McAlister Family Law part of Beyond Law Group
Sally Hulston, Lewis Silkin
Stephen Jones, Leigh Day
Ruth Peters, Olliers Solicitors

Personal Injury / Clinical Negligence Team of the Year

Fieldfisher
Fletchers Solicitors
HCC Solicitors
Leigh Day
Serious Injury Law

Private Client Team of the Year

Hugh Jones Solicitors Private Client Team
Private Client Solicitors
Weightmans LLP

Property Team of the Year

Clyde & Co
Fieldfisher
Mills & Reeve

Regulatory Team of the Year

DAC Beachcroft
DWF Law LLP
Markel Law
Stephensons Solicitors LLP

Solicitor of the Year

Helen Barker, Irwin Mitchell LLP
Alex Barley, Slater Heelis
Nicola Bruce, Olliers Solicitors
Hannah Costley, Slater Heelis
Saoirse de Bont, Irwin Mitchell LLP
Lucy-Allena Mcilroy, Irwin Mitchell LLP
Dhiran Solanki, Leigh Day

Sustainability Champions of the Year

DWF Law LLP
Irwin Mitchell
Weightmans LLP

Trainee / Paralegal / Apprentice / Legal Executive of the Year

Emma Barrett-Ryan, DWF Law LLP
Isabella Lloyd, Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Emma Neild, HCC Solicitors
Gabriella Rasiah, DWF Law LLP

Unsung Hero of the Year

Kate Emms, Mills & Reeve
Cath Garner, Eversheds Sutherland (International) UK
Amy Goodlad, Mills & Reeve
Janet O’Keefe, Olliers Solicitors

The Judges

We have selected a panel of highly successful and well respected individuals from the business, legal and academic community across the North West.

Alison Loveday

pro-manchester

Deborah Walker

MIDAS

Edward Smethurst

Prosperity Law LLP

Fiona Ledden

Manchester City Council

HHJ John Potter

Manchester Crown Court

John Hyde

Law Society Gazette

Lisa Wright

Menopause the Wright Way (MtWW)

Martyn Best

Document Direct & Legal RSS

Matthew Curtis

BPP Manchester

Michael Taylor

TheBusinessDesk.com

Mike Ode

Potential Unearthed

Phil Wedgwood

Engage

Rachel Stevens

University of Law

Ruth Shearn

RMS PR Marketing & Design

Sam Booth

pro-manchester

Victoria Richardson

RMS PR Marketing & Design

“It is an absolute privilege to judge these awards. The legal talent displayed by firms of all sizes is truly astonishing. It’s so lovely to see the winners clutching their awards on the big night!”

Ruth Shearn
Judge and founder, RMS PR Marketing & Design

“A tremendously energetic and fun way to celebrate the incredible presence of the legal sector in the city region. Behind the raucous pursuit of fun and frivolity is a deadly serious and very thorough judging process to decide who wins. Quite frankly, I’ve never been to an awards event quite like it.”

Michael Taylor
Editor, The Business Desk

“Always a fabulous event.”

Ruth Peters
Business development director, Olliers

“When we found out we’d been shortlisted, there was a spontaneous round of applause in the office. It was super.”

Sara Barrett
Partner, Mills & Reeve

“To say it’s the highlight of our year wouldn’t be overplaying the importance of this occasion.”

Richard Bacon
Head of sales and business development, Shard Capital

“We were delighted to win, especially given the other fantastic firms we were up against.”

Clare Campbell
Partner, Leigh Day

“I’m over the moon and really proud. I couldn’t be happier.”

Jack Trowsdale
Paralegal, DWF

“These awards epitomise everything that’s great about Manchester.”

Andrew Francis
Sponsor and deputy pro-vice chancellor, Manchester Law School

“We do some very difficult and emotive work.I’m very honoured and deeply touched to have received this award.”

Kelly Darlington
Farleys

“We’ve been nominated three times and are absolutely delighted to have won this year. It’s amazing and we are ecstatic.”

Iwona Durlak
Senior partner, IMD Solicitors

“It’s a major deal to be shortlisted, let alone win. Manchester is a hardcore legal centre and we’re thrilled to have won.”

James Brown
Senior partner, Hall Brown Family Law

“The most vibrant and packed awards event I’ve ever been to. It’s fantastic.”

Ele Lovering
Senior partner, Evershed Sutherland

“The awards recognise and celebrate the best legal talent. As a legal recruiter, I have the pleasure to witness the breadth of talent in the north west and it’s incredible we have an event which celebrates and brings the legal community together.”

Louis Rosenthal
Sponsor and managing director, Interlink Recruitment

“Really good to celebrate the talent we’ve got in Manchester.”

Carol Spiller
Partner, Weightmans