Family lawyers celebrate after Family Law Awards 2013

More than 400 family lawyers from across England and Wales came together yesterday evening at the Hilton Park Lane in London to celebrate Jordan Publishing's third Family Law Awards (#familylawawards), sponsored by Anglia DNA.

The Grand Ballroom of the Hilton was charged with excitement as the four nominees in each category waited to find out if they had won.

The prestigious Cornwell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Family Law sponsored by Coram Chambers was won by Sir Mathew Thorpe. Sir Mathew has worked tirelessly to develop trans-national judicial collaboration and direct judicial communication in international family cases. This has led to a reduction in delays and financial costs in cross-border cases and helped reduce the emotional distress experienced by the parties involved. The award is dedicated to the memory of John Cornwell, a former Senior Partner of Dawson Cornwell, who received the award last year before he sadly passed away in February.

It was another good year for 4 Paper Buildings, who were shortlisted in six categories and won three awards: Chambers of the Year; Junior Barrister of the Year - Hassan Khan (sponsored by 1 King's Bench Walk); and QC of the Year - Jo Delahunty. Jo concluded her rousing acceptance speech by saying that representation is a necessity and not a luxury.

The Family Law Firm of the Year award (sponsored by 4 Paper Buildings) went to Turpin & Miller.

Katherine Gieve from Bindmans solicitors won Family Law Partner of the Year (sponsored by Goldsmith Chambers). The award for Family Law Associate Solicitor of the Year, sponsored by 1 Garden Court, went to Claire Colbert of Blake Lapthorn solicitors. The Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year, sponsored by 14 Gray's Inn Square, was awarded to Olivia Piercy of Dawson Cornwell, who, in an emotional acceptance speech, dedicated the award to her friend and mentor, John Cornwell.

Young Barrister of the Year went to Mehvish Chaudhry of Harcourt Chambers and the International Family Lawyer of the Year was won by William Longrigg of Charles Russell solicitors.

Vanessa Lloyd Platt from Lloyd Platt & Co Limited won the Commentator of the Year Award, as voted for by the family law community. She won the award for her extensive and expert analysis in the media of the latest high-profile issues in family law.

The award for Most Innovative Family Lawyer of the Year (sponsored by Claritest) went to Joanne Major for their pioneering approach to Major Family Law.

The award that received the most nominations, ADR Practitioner of the Year, went to Denise Carter of the International Family Law Group LLP.

Legal Executive of the year was won by Herbert Bennett from Charles Russell and Local Authority Lawyer of the Year (sponsored by 4 Paper Buildings) was named as Kate Loader from Staffordshire County Council Childcare Litigation Department.

Maeve O'Rourke, at Thomas Bingham Chambers, was selected as the Family Law Awards 2013 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year.

Jordan Publishing would like to congratulate all the winners and shortlisted nominees and thank everyone who submitted a nomination and voted.

See photos from the night. Send us your photos marketing@jordanpublishing.co.uk.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS:

Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Family Law - Sponsored by Coram Chambers
Sir Mathew Thorpe, 1 Hare Court

Family Law Firm of the Year - Sponsored by 4 Paper Buildings
Turpin & Miller

Family Law Chambers of the Year
4 Paper Buildings

Family Law Partner of the Year - Sponsored by Goldsmith Chambers
Katherine Gieve, Bindmans LLP

Family Law Associate Solicitor of the Year - Sponsored by 1 Garden Court
Claire Colbert, Blake Lapthorn

Family Law Young Solicitor of the Year - Sponsored by 14 Gray's Inn Square
Olivia Piercy, Dawson Cornwell

Family Law QC of the Year
Jo Delahunty QC, 4 Paper Buildings

Family Law Junior Barrister of the Year
Hassan Khan, 4 Paper Buildings

Family Law Young Barrister of the Year - Sponsored by 1 King's Bench Walk
Mehvish Chaudhry, Harcourt Chambers

International Family Lawyer of the Year
William Longrigg, Charles Russell LLP

Most Innovative Family Lawyer of the Year - Sponsored by Claritest
Joanne Major, Major Family Law

Family Law ADR Practitioner of the Year
Denise Carter, International Family Law Group LLP

Family Law Legal Executive of the Year
Herbert Bennett, Charles Russell LLP

Local Authority Lawyer of the Year - Sponsored by 4 Paper Buildings
Kate Loader, Staffordshire County Council Childcare Litigation Department    

Family Law Readers' Commentary Award - Sponsored by Family Law
Vanessa Lloyd Platt, Lloyd Platt & Co Limited

Family Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year - Sponsored by Jordan Publishing
Maeve O'Rourke, Thomas Bingham Chambers

If you are interested in sponsoring an award or the whole event next year please contact Ash on +44 (0)117 918 1419 or email advertising@jordanspublishing.co.uk