Legal excellence in Wales

The finalists for the 2019 Wales Legal Awards that represent the best of the Welsh legal sector were announced in the inaugural Wales Legal Awards on the 17th May 2019.

The event, which took place at the Mercure Holland House Hotel in Cardiff – featured a total of 50 finalists from 38 different legal firms from across Wales.

Teams from some of the best Welsh legal businesses competed for awards in 16 different categories including criminal law, conveyancing, corporate and commercial, litigation and employment. A special honour was also awarded on the night, for outstanding contribution to the Welsh legal profession.

A sold-out dinner saw a total of fifty finalists from thirty different legal businesses across Wales compete for awards in sixteen different categories. The Wales Legal Team of the Year was awarded to Acuity Law, while the outstanding Contribution to the Welsh legal profession went to Alan Meredith, the former Managing Partner of Eversheds Sutherland, Cardiff.

Charlotte Leyshon, Co-Founder of the awards and Director of Lux Family Law, said:

“I was thrilled to see the best talent working in the legal profession in Wales today recognised at tonight’s awards. In creating the Wales Legal Awards, we have focused on celebrating the achievements of the many specialised and talented teams to be found across the length and breadth of Wales and which make a massive contribution to a vibrant Welsh legal industry

Dale Williams, founder of the headline awards sponsor, Yolk Recruitment, said:

“This evening has demonstrated that legal sector in Wales is as exciting as any of its comparable professional services counterparts. I am delighted that the Wales Legal Awards have shone a spotlight to highlight the people and businesses representing this most exciting of landscapes and we’re proud to be able to support such a needed and deserved platform to showcase the best of the best within Wales”.

Commenting on the winner of the Outstanding Contribution award, Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, Chairman of the judging panel and Co-Founder of the awards, added:

“I am delighted that Alan Meredith has been honoured in this way as he has made an amazing contribution to the Welsh economy by delivering proactive legal advice and assistance to support the inward investment efforts of both the Welsh Development Agency and the Welsh Government over the last two decades. Not only is one of the outstanding Welsh lawyers of his generation but is the most humane, kind and charming person you will meet.”

Wales Legal Awards 2019 winners:

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Outstanding contribution to the legal profession in Wales

• Winner: Alan Meredith

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Wales Legal Team of the Year

• Winner: Acuity Legal

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Corporate & Commercial Team of the Year

• Winner: Blake Morgan LLP

Shortlisted: 

• Acuity Law
• Greenaway Scott

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Litigation Team of the Year

• Winner: Acuity Law

Shortlisted:

• Blake Morgan LLP
• DAC Beachcroft LLP

____

Employment Team of the Year

• Winner: Slater & Gordon Lawyers

Shortlisted:

• Red Kite Law LLP
• Refreshing Law

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Real Estate, Property & Construction Team of the Year

• Winner: Blake Morgan LLP

Shortlisted:

• Geldards LLP
• Ince GD
• Le Gros Solicitors

____

Private Client Team of the year

• Winner: Watkins & Gunn

Shortlisted: 

• Duncan Lewis Solicitors
• RDP Law

____

Family Law Team of the Year

• Winner: Watkins & Gunn

Shortlisted:   

• Hopkins Law
• JCP Solicitors
• Rubin Lewis O’Brien LLP

____

Criminal Team of the Year

• Winner: HPJV solicitors

Shortlisted:   

• M&M Solicitors
• Reeds Solicitors

____

Regulatory & White Collar Crime Team of the Year

• Winner: Reeds Solicitors

Shortlisted:

• DAC Beachcroft LLP

____

Claimant Team of the Year

• Winner: Red Kite Law LLP

Shortlisted:

• Admiral Law Ltd
• NewLaw Solicitors

____

Residential Conveyancing Team of the Year

• Winner: JCP Solicitors

Shortlisted:

• Griffiths Ings Property Lawyers
• Howells Legal

____

In-House Team of the Year

• Winner: Admiral Group Plc

Shortlisted:

• NWSSP Legal & Risk Services
• Principality Building Society

____

Chambers of the Year

• Winner: 9 Park Place Chambers

Shortlisted:

• 30 Park Place
• Angel Chambers

____

Services to the Legal Profession Team of the Year

• Winner: GlobalX

Shortlisted: 

• Baldwins Cardiff
• Hugh James IFA
• Jonathan Bray Legal Services

____

Training Team of the Year

• Winner: Kaplan Altior

Shortlisted: 

• Helen Iles Ltd
• Morgan La Roche Solicitors

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Corporate Social Responsibility Programme of the Year

• Winner: Eversheds Sutherland

Shortlisted: 

• CJCH Solicitors
• Gamlins Law Ltd

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Rising Star of the Year

• Winner: Elissa Thursfield, Gamlins Law Ltd

Shortlisted:   

• Leanne Thomas, Greenaway Scott
• Tom Evans, JMD Law
• Hannah Dahill, Morgan La Roche Solicitors

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Special Recognition Award of the Year

• Winner: Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Do you have what it takes to showcase outstanding performance, commitment to client services and / or an innovative approach that benefits the provision of legal services in Wales?

Is your team a beacon of excellence? Do you have a rising star that deserves to recognition or a culture that advances your people, Welsh society or the economy? Then NOMINATE your team TODAY for the Wales Legal Awards 2020!