Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare, ensured the legal mental health and wellbeing charity was able to provide help to members of the profession, while Jelena Madir, general counsel at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which works towards equal access to vaccines, advises on the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) facility.
The third award went to the UK Collaborative Plan for Pro Bono, a coalition of more than 60 law firms who worked together to share information and reduce demand for those in need of legal help.
Naomi Angell, of Osbornes Law, received the Lifetime Achievement award. She has dedicated her career to improving the law for children and families.
The Legal Personality of the Year award went to Polly Sweeney, of Rook Irwin Sweeney (RIS), for her high-profile campaigning for the educational rights of children with special educational needs.
Refinitiv’s Vivienne Artz took the Woman Solicitor of the Year gong for her tireless effort in supporting equality, diversity and inclusion, and for continuously pushing for change within her industry.
Duncan Lewis won Large Law Firm of the Year award (21+partners), Collins Solicitors scooped the medium firm gong (5-20 partners), and Emmersons Solicitors took home the small firm award (2-4 partners).
Law Society president David Greene said: ‘In an extremely challenging year, it is more important than ever to recognise the hard work, skill and dedication of solicitors in England and Wales, to champion the rule of law and to defend the right to justice for all.
‘At a time when lawyers come under attack for simply doing their job, we must never forget the immense contribution solicitors make to society.’
To see the full list of 26 winners, go to: bit.ly/2SZp4Jp.
