Wolverhampton Law Society celebrates success

Four awards were once again hotly contested at the Molineux Stadium on Friday.

The winners were chosen by an independent panel of leading business figures comprised of Rav Hothi of the West Midlands Law Society; Alice Davey of The Way Youth Zone; Ninder Johal, president of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce; Pete Walton of the University of Wolverhampton and the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Ian Brookfield.

The Professional of the Year award, sponsored by St Philips Chambers, which recognised an outstanding contribution to the local profession across Wolverhampton and the Black Country, was awarded to Kim Carr,managing partner of FBC Manby Bowdler.

Kim was applauded for her central role in the firm's growth and strategic development since she assumed her role, of the newly merged firm, in 2008.

Picking up the Junior Professional of the Year Award, sponsored by Wesleyan, was Amber Bate also of FBC Manby Bowdler. Amber was commended for her business development achievements, as well as work to promote the advancement of the junior profession in the area through her work with the Junior Lawyers' Division.

The Law Student Representation Project, a joint initiative between the University of Wolverhampton and Wolverhampton City Council, was named as the recipient of the Community Champion of the Year Award for its work in providing much needed benefit appeals representation to the vulnerable and disadvantaged people of the city. The award was presented in memory of Professor Paul Sparrow of the University of Wolverhampton.

Picking up the award on behalf of the project was Joycelyn Thomas, who received it from Miceál Barden, Dean of Wolverhampton University's Faculty of Law.

Additionally, Richard Bourne of PIA Wealth Management was Highly Commended in this category for his work on the firm's CSR agenda and involvement in a number of voluntary organisations.

Scooping the highly coveted Professional Business of the Year award was Newell Palmer & Associates which has grown, largely through acquisition, to become one of the largest IFA companies in the region with £640m of funds under management.

Doug Hargrove, managing director of Advanced Legal which sponsored the category, presented operations director Fenella Bayliss with the award.

Richard Ennis, president of the Wolverhampton Law Society, spoke of the increasing strength of the professional services sector in the region: "In this, the second year, of the Wolverhampton Law Society Awards, we have again witnessed what a significant role the legal and associated professional services sectors play in delivering first class services to the businesses of Wolverhampton and the surrounding area.

"The categories were hotly contested and all shortlisted nominees should feel proud of their achievements.

"We are once again indebted to our panel of independent judges whose diligence in reviewing all entries cannot be underestimated."

The attendees at the ceremony enjoyed the presence of guest speaker, former world snooker champion John Parrott.