News - News - BLD Sponsors Scoop Top Awards

Allen & Overy won the Equality and Diversity Award and Shoosmiths won the Quality of Life Award, sponsored by Towry Law.

The judges were “hugely impressed” by Allen & Overy’s commitment to diversity, led from the top by senior partner Guy Beringer. The firm’s wide range of activity to address diversity issues had brought clear results and set a benchmark for the profession, the judges said.

Shoosmiths was commended for its enthusiasm in training, coaching and one-to-ones, together with the sheer number of opportunities for staff to get involved. Judges said the list of benefits for staff was “very impressive”, including weekly fruit deliveries, stress management sessions, mentoring schemes for new lawyers and a counselling service.

Law Society President Andrew Holroyd said after the gala: “Judging these awards was a real privilege and all the short-listed entries should be very proud of their achievement. These winners have made the promotion of best practice an integral part of their work.

“These awards are part of the Law Society's commitment to promoting excellence in legal services. Over recent years, the solicitors' profession has taken significant steps in the area of innovation. We hope that these awards, which celebrate the very best in our great profession, will bring benefits for both staff and clients."

Other awards and winners were:

Lexcel Excellence in Practice Standards Award (sponsor: Fraser and Fraser): Foot Anstey. The judges were impressed that the Plymouth-based firm has developed its commitment to excellence by establishing a Quality Directorate. The judges took particular note that a Client Experience Project has been implemented to understand and improve the service received by clients.

Innovation in Business Award (sponsor: Jordan’s): Awdry Bailey & Douglas. The South-West based firm demonstrated “cutting-edge” business practice and client service by introducing an innovative one-stop-shop business model for home information packs, which proved simple and straightforward and very successful, the judges said.