Winners Announced In 18th Annual Scottish Legal Awards

The best performing individuals, teams and firms in the Scottish legal profession were revealed at the national awards celebration for Scottish law held in Glasgow.

Over 300 guests celebrated at the 18th annual Scottish Legal Awards as the popular event resumed its live dinner and, for the first-time, broadcast live to viewers who were also watching from home.

The ultimate award of the night, Firm of the Year was presented to Jones Whyte, the Glasgow city law firm which has experienced rapid growth building a team of 175 lawyers delivering a broad range of services.  The judging panel praised the firm’s strategic plan, continued success, and impressive results. 

They were joined in celebration by Livingstone Brown who collected two awards including Managing Partner of the Year presented to Stuart Munro for his work implementing a technological response to the pandemic, high profile case wins while also delivering continued improvement for the firm. The firm also collected the award for Criminal Defence Team of the Year.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by The Times was presented to Lorna Jack, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland.  Ms Jack has been largely credited for transforming the Society including improvements in transparency, governance, outreach to members and stakeholders, while also implementing a range of business efficiencies.

Accepting the award, Lorna Jack commented.

“We have much to be proud of in Scotland’s solicitor profession and it has been a great privilege to lead the talented, dedicated team at the Law Society, along with our many volunteer committee members who do extraordinary work in addition to their day jobs.

“So much of what has been accomplished is the result of the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone involved in the Society’s work in creating a modern, outward-looking organisation that supports our members in their work, raises standards across the profession, and puts the public interest at the heart of everything we do with no complacency.

“I would not have been able to achieve so much without the good advice and support of colleagues and friends in the legal community and am both delighted and deeply humbled to have been chosen by the Scottish Legal Awards judges this year.”

The Scottish Legal Awards is the national celebration for achievements in Scottish law and the legal industry.  Now entering its 19th year, the programme is regarded as a much trusted and independent platform to recognise and reward achievements.

The judging panel of 11 senior figures from the law met last month to review more than 60 entries from 43 organisations across Scotland. 

Chair of the judging panel, Shonaig Macpherson, commented. 

“This year’s Scottish Legal Awards has been a reassuring reminder that the Scottish legal system is truly world class.  In a year in which the pandemic threatened not just our way of working, but also the integrity of the justice system, our award winners have shown us the way through some dark days.   We have seen creativity, innovation, inspiration, and a commitment to care about the wellbeing of staff, colleagues, and clients. Congratulations to all our finalists and winners this year and I hope they can enjoy the celebrations.”

17 awards were presented on the night to individuals and teams.  The highly regarded Lawyer of the Year Award was presented to Naomi Pryde of DWF, a commercial litigation lawyer who has considerable time promoting diversity and inclusion in the law.

The in-house legal team awards were presented jointly to SSE plc (commercial sector) and The Scottish Parliament (public sector).  The in-house lawyer of the year was awarded to Laura Edison of Skyrora, the Edinburgh-based space company. 

Celebrating 20 years of service, the Property Standardisation Group were presented with an Outstanding Achievement Award for its work to create over 95 documents for all lawyers to use during property transactions.

A full list of winners can be found here.

The awards continue to raise funds for two nominated charities; LawScot Foundation, which supports students in pursuing a career in law and It’s Good 2 Give, which supports young cancer patients and their families in Scotland.  Over £3,000 has been raised this year.

 

The 2021 Winners

Firm of the Year

Jones Whyte

 

Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by The Times

Lorna Jack, Chief Executive, Law Society of Scotland

 

Managing Partner of the Year sponsored by Scott + Co

Stuart Munro, Livingstone Brown

 

Outstanding Achievement Award

The Property Standardisation Group

 

Business Resilience Award

Highly Commended:  Neilson’s

Winner: Road Traffic Accident Law Scotland

 

Lawyer of the Year

WINNER: Naomi Pryde, DWF

FINALISTS:

Barbara Jamieson, Jamieson Law

Donna Reynolds, Blackadders Solicitors

Stuart Munro, Livingstone Brown

Caroline Loudon, TLT

Tracey Ginn, MBM Commercial

 

In-House Lawyer of the Year sponsored by Wolffe

WINNER: Laura Edison, Skyrora
FINALISTS:

Stephen Swan, Edinburgh Airport
Susie Lind, EDF

 

Rising Star of the Year sponsored by Scottish Building Society

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Matthew McGovern, McGovern Reid Court Lawyers

WINNER:   Billie Smith, MacPhee and Partners

FINALISTS:

Rebecca Cox, MacRoberts

John Dargie, Blackadders Solicitors

 

Litigation Team of the Year

WINNER:  Digby Brown

FINALISTS:

Allan McDougall Solicitors

Clyde and Co

 

Real Estate Team of the Year

WINNER:  Anderson Strathern

HIGHLY COMMENDED: TLT

Dentons

Gillespie Macandrew

Shoosmiths

 

Residential Property Team of the Year sponsored by Millar & Bryce

WINNER:  Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents

FINALISTS:

Anderson Strathern

Gillespie Macandrew

McDougall McQueen

 

In-House Legal Team of the Year

WINNER (PUBLIC SECTOR): The Scottish Parliament

WINNER (COMMERCIAL SECTOR) SSE Plc

FINALISTS:

Aberdeen City Council

The City of Edinburgh Council

Baillie Gifford

The Scottish Parliament

 

Criminal Defence Firm of the Year

WINNER: Livingstone Brown

FINALISTS:

Moir and Sweeney Litigation

McGovern Reid Court Lawyers

Scullion Law

 

Support Team of the Year

WINNER: Hey Legal

FINALISTS:

ESPC

The Cashroom

Moore Legal Technology

Scottish Social Services Council

 

Excellence in Client Care

WINNER: TLT

Allan McDougall Solicitors

Blackadders LLP Solicitors

Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents

Spanish and Scottish Law Practice

 

Community Contribution Award sponsored by Frasia Wright Associates

WINNER:  Mediation Clinic at University of Strathclyde

Clan Childlaw

Digby Brown

Harper Macleod

Shepherd and Wedderburn

 

Legal Technology Award

WINNER: Registers of Scotland

FINALIST:

The Cashroom

 

The 2021 Judging Panel

·        Shonaig Macpherson CBE, Chair of the Judging Panel

·        Greig Cameron., Business Editor, The Times

·        Dr Sarah Hendry, Senior Lecturer Head of Dundee Law School

·        Janet Hood, Owner, Janet Hood Training and Consulting Limited

·        David Lee, Director, David Lee Media & Events Ltd

·        Christine McLintock , Past President 2016-2017, The Law Society of Scotland

·        Graeme McWilliams, Convenor, In House Lawyers Committee

·        Paul Mosson, Executive Director of Member Services and Engagement, The Law Society of Scotland

·        Philip Rodney, Founder of Rimalower Consulting

·        Frasia Wright, Managing Director, Frasia Wright Associates