Modern Law Magazine Issue 65

AWARDS
AWARDS
On Wednesday 5th July 2023, Modern Law Magazine
welcomed the crème de la crème of the private client
legal profession through the doors of Liverpool’s
incredible Rum Warehouse, in recognition and
celebration of outstanding efforts across the industry.
In this very special ‘Winners’ edition of the magazine, we report on the details
of the night, and extend our huge congratulations to the shortlisted, highlycommended,
and award-winning firms, figures and notable trailblazers; all of
whom made the night so special for everyone involved.
This was the inaugural Modern Law Private Client
Awards, and I think it’s safe to say it was a great
success! Legal professionals from every corner of
Private Client Law were in attendance, dressed to
the nines, and ready to celebrate the industry’s best
and brightest. The night shone a light on the immense
talent, pioneers, innovators, and trailblazers making
their mark on the industry and forever changing the
legal landscape for the better.
So many fantastic firms and individuals were nominated
for the awards, showing just how competitive the
Private Client space really is, and to be shortlisted is an
achievement in and of itself. Our esteemed panel of
judges meticulously studied every nominee and worked
tirelessly to select the award winners of the highlycommended
recipients.
Attendees eagerly arrived at Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel
from every corner of the U.K. ready to walk into The Rum
Warehouse for a night of great food, comedy, awards,
and dancing. The glamorous evening started out with a
Champagne reception, kindly sponsored by Estatesearch,
and everyone greeting old and new friends whilst
dressed to impress. The reception was humming with
excitement as to what the night could hold for the first
Modern Law Private Client Awards.
Guests filtered through into The Rum Warehouse to be
greeted by retro arcade games including Super Mario,
Space Invaders, bowling, and a beer pong table. Once
everyone had found their table, Kate McKittrick took to
the stage to give the welcoming speech and to warm
everyone up. Dr. I. Stephanie Boyce, our esteemed Chair
Judge of the awards, followed up with a speech of her own
congratulating all our incredible nominees, acknowledging
all their contributions to the private client sector, and
thanking her fellow Judges for all of their hard work.
Moments after the introduction speeches finished the
delicious three course meal was being served. As all
our guests tucked in and appetites were satisfied, the
atmosphere grew, and conversations were flowing along
with the drinks. Once everyone had their fill it was time
for the ceremony to begin.
The evening’s host, Dominic Holland, popped up on
stage and grabbed all our attention with his awardwinning
comedy. The giggles were soon filling the room,
and Dominic wasn’t afraid to put the most esteemed and
poker-faced of legal professionals on the spot, and get
them to let out a chuckle.
With the evening well underway, the awards began
being handed out to all of our incredible winners, and
highly commended recipients. Cheers from every table
roared for every winner as they graced the stage and
humbly accepted their awards. It was truly a celebration
of the work and success of legal professionals in the
private client sector, and it was a real pleasure for us all at
Modern Law to be able to be a part of it all.
The awards ceremony came to a close with the Lifetime
Achievement Award, awarded posthumously to the
magnificent Keith Biggs. The award was presented by
Dr. I Stephanie Boyce who spoke of Keith’s amazing life,
and all of his achievements and contributions to the legal
profession. Keith’s wife, Maureen Biggs, and his children,
Georgina and James, accepted the award on his behalf
making the moment an emotional point of the night.
Maureen decided to say a few impromptu words, and it
turned into one of the best speeches I have ever heard.
We were treated to an insight into Keith’s life, passions,
and personality. Maureen made us laugh, cry, and feel
inspired. It was easily one of the most memorable
moments of the night.
Once all the awards had been handed out, Dominic
said his goodbyes and the music started. The dance
floor filled with legal professionals who had let their hair
down and were prepared to dance the night away. Most
notably, Craig Dade, from the event’s headline sponsor
LEAP, was tearing up the dance floor and seemed to
be having the time of his life. The arcade game’s had
colleagues competing against each other, and friendly
rivalries between legal professionals broke out along
with their competitiveness. Later, three giant Moon Bots
entered the room surprising everyone with their dance
moves and adding some intrigue to the guest list. They
towered over everyone in the room on their stilts, and it
felt like they had come straight out of a futuristic film. It
wouldn’t be a Modern Law event with the unexpected, as
we don’t do things by half.
Lastly, please join us in congratulating all of the 2023
Modern Law Private Client Awards winners, highlycommended
recipients, and everyone who made the
shortlists! Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors as
without you none of this could have been possible. You
can find in the following pages the names of all the
winners, photos from all the shenanigans of the evening,
and an interview with our headline sponsor, LEAP.
We hope to see you again next year on the dancefloor!
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