Stockport solicitors Simpson Millar (incorporating Abney Garsden solicitors) are celebrating success after winning in all 3 categories they received nominations for at the recent Manchester Legal Awards. They picked up awards for Small Law Firm of the Year, Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year and Legal Executive of the Year. The glittering awards ceremony held in Manchester was organised by the Manchester Law Society and was introduced to showcase the huge wealth of legal talent in the region.
Sucheet Amin, president of Manchester Law Society said: “The quality of entries in this year’s Legal Awards was truly exceptional and highlights the excellence of lawyers and law firms in Manchester. To be even shortlisted is an achievement in itself, given the high standard of nominations, and every individual and firm to make the shortlist deserves credit and recognition.”
During the ceremony the judges gave their reason for selecting the firm saying: “this firm has won Small Firm of the Year because the practice was highly specialist in a very difficult area of law in many ways.” In selecting Peter for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year they said: “Peter combines managing the practice, his own demanding case load, charitable work, and successfully campaigning and lobbying government on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of society, a Herculean effort.“
Simpson Millar McDonald, who celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2011 specialise in family law, accidents, wills & probate and abuse. It was the firm’s work with child abuse victims that led to Peter Garsden winning Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year.
Commenting after the awards, Managing Partner Peter Garsden said: “I find it hard to put into words, what an honour it is for the firm to have been recognised for the work we do, particularly for the victims of abuse, and vulnerable adults. Although the prestige is flattering, and the profile commercially important, the real people that matter are the type of people we act for, who need far more help than a trophy in a cabinet.
To have one award would have been an exceptional achievement, but for the firm to have won every category of award we entered, is truly astonishing. The standard of firm entering these awards in the Manchester area, is very high, this year particularly so according to the organisers, and to have been associated with such outstanding legal firms, is humbling.
We have been recognised both personally and as an organisation for the work we do. For a small firm to triumph over such large firms is a testament to all that is good about small business. It is a tribute, particularly to our loyal and hardworking staff, many of whom have been with us for many years. It truly is a pinnacle in my professional career.”
Winning Legal Executive of the year, Sue Leach, who joined the firm in 2011 after leaving an established marketing career with Astra Zenica said: “I am thrilled to be recognised for this award. I took a major decision to change career, which I feel is now justified by the receipt of this trophy. I now look forward to an interesting and exciting legal career. I thank my boss and Simpson Millar for putting me forward in the first place.”
