Birmingham Law Society has announced it will host its annual Legal Awards next month.
This year's awards, which will be held online on April 15, features 12 different categories including for apprentices, pro bono work and small, local and national practices.
A lifetime achievement award will also be announced on the night in recognition of someone who has given exceptional services to the city's legal community.
It is the 20th year the legal trade body has hosted the awards but the first time it will take place online due the ongoing restrictions surrounding large gatherings because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The event last year had to be cancelled as it was due to take place just four days after the first national lockdown started so this year's shortlist is carried over from the 2020 awards.
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 ceremony will be hosted by BBC radio broadcaster Phil Upton with Reverend Richard Coles as guest speaker.
Law society president Inez Brown said: "The last 12 months have been extremely challenging for everyone and we are pleased that we can come together to celebrate Birmingham's very talented pool of legal professionals.
"It is set to be a fantastic event and we look to see our colleagues in their usual black-tie attire to toast the region's talent."
The shortlist is:
Trainee Solicitor of the Year
Anna Dearden (currently non-practising)
Mischa Howell, Gowling WLG
Demi Hughes, Squire Patton Boggs
Jastinder Samra, Mills & Reeve
Rachel Sutcliffe, Anthony Collins Solicitors
Apprentice of the Year
Michelle Blackwell, Bevan Brittan
Laura Brown, Irwin Mitchell
Aimee Haden, Bevan Brittan
Brogan Maxwell, Irwin Mitchell
Beth Walters, Eversheds Sutherland
Paralegal of the Year
Jess Allan, Irwin Mitchell
Rebecca Kennedy, Pinsent Masons
Isha Khatun, Shoosmiths
Emily Morris, DWF Law
Marie Newton, Irwin Mitchell
Solicitor of the Year
Kishma Bolaji, Shoosmiths
Christina Georgiou, Squire Patton Boggs
Simon Grimshaw, Hogan Lovells International
Alice Kinder, Anthony Collins Solicitors
Samantha Miller, Eversheds Sutherland
Barrister of the Year
Esther Gamble, No5 Barristers' Chambers
Jason Hadden, St Ives Chambers
Elizabeth Isaacs QC, St Ives Chambers
Vanessa Meachin QC, 3PB
Iqbal Mohammed, St Philips Chambers
Partner of the Year
Martino Giaquinto, Mills & Reeve
Kirsty McEwen, Higgs & Sons
Karen Moores, Sydney Mitchell
Richard Morgan, Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Clive Read, VWV
Emma Rush, Irwin Mitchell
Excellence in Client Service - Private Clients
Private Client Team, Anthony Collins Solicitors
Clinical Negligence, Irwin Mitchell
Personal Advisory Division, Shoosmiths
VWV Private Client team, VWV
Wills, Trusts, Estates & Court of Protection, Weightmans
Excellence in Client Service - Business Clients
Funding and Finance, Anthony Collins Solicitors
Real Estate Team, DLA Piper
DWF International Arbitration and Litigation, DWF Law
Business Services Team, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, Birmingham
Employment Team, Irwin Mitchell
Dispute Resolution Team, Sydney Mitchell
Law Firm of the Year - National
DWF Law
Eversheds Sutherland
Gateley Legal
Pinsent Masons
Squire Patton Boggs
Law Firm of the Year - Regional
Enoch Evans
Quality Solicitors Davisons
Sydney Mitchell
The Wilkes Partnership
Law Firm of the Year - Sole Practitioners and Firms up to Five Partners
Adcocks Solicitors
Averta Employment Lawyers
KJ Conroy & Co
TRP Solicitors
Birmingham Law Society Pro Bono Award
Birmingham Legal Advice Clinic - Bevan Brittan, Eversheds Sutherland, Gowling WLG and Squire Patton Boggs
Birmingham Pro Bono Network
Emma Hardman, Anthony Collins Solicitors
Litigation Programme, The University of Law
Nadine Mansell, Capsticks Solicitors
