Birmingham Law Society has revealed the winners of its 2021 Legal Awards.
Held online last night, the awards recognised members of Birmingham's legal community across 12 categories including apprentices, pro bono work and small, local and national practices.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Steven Jonas in his 40th year of being a solicitor.
Other winners on the night included Eversheds Sutherland, Sydney Mitchell and Averta Employment Lawyers.
Inez Brown, President of the Birmingham Law Society, said: "Recognising the achievements and contributions of Birmingham's legal professionals was particularly poignant given the challenges over the last 12 months.
"We were extremely pleased to have such a great turnout despite the changed nature of the award format this year."
This is the 20th year the legal trade body has hosted the awards, but the first time the event has been held virtually due to the current restrictions around the pandemic. Last year's event had to be cancelled.
Birmingham Post Business Awards 2021
The Birmingham Post Business Awards are back for 2021 and The event will be held online only on Tuesday June 15 and will celebrate businesses and individuals across 12 categories including our overall Company of the Year and a special covid award.
The deadline to enter the awards is Monday April 19 and sponsorship opportunities are also now available. Please email paige.jackson@reachplc.com for details and follow the hashtag #BPBAwards for updates on social media.
The ceremony will be hosted on our new virtual events platform The Awards Room which gives nominees and sponsors the chance to experience real-time networking and hear from speakers.
All of your attendees will be placed together on your own table and you can invite people from outside your group to join you during the event.
Your table will also have private chat, allowing you to communicate with your colleagues during the awards. For more information about our Business Awards and other events please visit
The 2021 winners are:
Trainee Solicitor of the Year
Demi Hughes – Squire Patton Boggs
Apprentice of the Year
Beth Walters – Eversheds Sutherland
Paralegal of the Year
Emily Morris - DWF Law
Solicitor of the Year
Kishma Bolaji – Shoosmiths
Barrister of the Year
Esther Gamble – No5 Barristers' Chambers
Partner of the Year
Clive Read – VWV
Excellence in Client Service - Private Clients
Private Legal Services Team – Anthony Collins Solicitors
Excellence in Client Service - Business Clients
DWF International Arbitration and Litigation – DWF Law
Birmingham Law Society Pro Bono Award
Birmingham Legal Advice Clinic – Squire Patton Boggs, Eversheds Sutherland, Bevan Brittan and Gowling WLG
Law Firm of the Year (National)
Eversheds Sutherland
Law Firm of the Year (Regional)
Sydney Mitchell
Law Firm of the Year (Sole practitioners and firms up to five partners)
Averta Employment Lawyers
Lifetime Achievement Award
Steven Jonas – Jonas Roy Bloom
