Messenger September 2017

12 Law Society Excellence Awards
Law Society Excellence Awards continued from front cover...
the business with a more solid and secure workforce who
were fully engaged with the new culture and direction of
the firm; vital to improve chances of surviving and thriving
amidst more legal changes.
Senior Partner David Bott said “We are incredibly proud to
have been shortlisted for Excellence in Learning and Development
category alongside other well known, high profile
organisations. To be recognised as excelling in learning and
development, is extremely important to us and confirmation
that we are on track to ensure we engage and meet the
training needs of all our staff.”
Manchester commercial law firm Kuits has been shortlisted
in the Excellence in Conveyancing category.
This follows on from being crowned Best Professional Services
Firm at the Business Masters Awards 2017. Kuits also
won Best Law Firm at The Talk of Manchester Business
Awards in December last year.
Steve Eccleston, Managing Partner for Kuits, said: “We’re delighted
that our residential team has been recognised as the
best in Manchester. Kuits are acknowledged as the go-to experts
for those looking for commercial advice and a highquality,
bespoke service when buying or selling their home.”
Tony Hardy, Head of Residential for Kuits, added: “Delivering
excellent client care is our number one priority, and our
thorough and attentive approach is becoming increasingly
relevant in today’s residential market due to the increasing
risk of fraud and cybercrime.
“Kuits has successfully maintained the Law Society’s Conveyancing
Quality Scheme (CQS) accreditation for five consecutive
years. This is an indication of the standards that we
uphold when acting for our clients in residential property
transactions.”
Emma Nawaz, Managing Director of Blackstone Solicitors,
shortlisted for ‘Woman Lawyer of the Year commented: “ It
is an absolute privilege to have been shortlisted in such
prestigious awards. The firm has come a long way in a relatively
short time. Based in Hale, Cheshire, we now also have
an office in Mayfair, London and plans for a third office later
this year. My focus remains on driving the business forward,
however at the same time nurturing talent within the firm.
Just weeks ago we received Silver in Investors in People, a
fabulous achievement for the team. We have an impressive
portfolio of clients which means we are able to attract the
very best staff. Additionally, we have represented a number
of Iranian clients in ground breaking cases against high
street banks – something that has attracted international
exposure for the firm. Handling such cases has resulted in
Blackstone setting up our own Iranian desk. This latest notification
that I have been shortlisted is really just the icing on
the cake. We look forward to attending the Awards in London
in October.”
Hugh Jones Solicitors, shortlisted for the Excellence in Private
Client award is a firm of independent Court of Protection
solicitors, founded by Hugh Jones, a nationally
recognised leader in the field with over 30 years’ experience
in supporting vulnerable people, particularly those with a
mental incapacity, their families and their advisers. The firms
also advises Local Authorities and other firms of solicitors.
Hugh Jones, Managing Director of Hugh Jones Solicitors
said “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted in the Private
Client category for the second year in a row. We are a
specialist firm and so this is well deserved recognition of the
dedication of the entire team, to protecting the interests of
a vulnerable section of society – children and adults who
have lost capacity and their families.”
“ This is only the fourth year the firm has been in existence
and the firm has quadrupled in size in that period. In the last
year, we have brought a number of high profile cases, successfully
fighting for funding or for our clients’ wishes to prevail
in decisions about their lives.”
The firm’s first case to reach the Court of Appeal will be
heard in the Autumn.
Hugh Jones Solicitors has also been shortlisted for a third
consecutive year for the STEP awards Vulnerable Client Advisory
Practice of the year in addition to their win at the
Manchester Legal Awards 2017 (Private Client Team).
Joe Egan, President of the Law Society said "To be shortlisted
for the Excellence Awards is an achievement to be
proud of. The awards showcase the first-rate work and dedication
of the profession to their clients and the wider community,
and is one of the most rewarding and memorable
days in the legal calendar."
The finalists for the prestigious awards are selected by a
panel of experts from within and beyond the profession,
and demonstrate the expertise and values shared by solicitors
working across England and Wales, from small local
practices and in-house teams, to international City firms.
"This eleventh anniversary year of celebrating excellence in
the profession is a testament to the hard work of our members,
and of their sustained contribution, not only to clients
but to society as a whole," said Joe Egan.
The winners will be announced at theawards ceremony on
Thursday 19 October at the Hilton Park Lane, London.
Julia Baskerville
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