Profession gears up for next week’s Legal Cheek Awards 2019

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By Aishah Hussain on

Extravaganza takes place at the City of London’s iconic Cheesegrater

Excitement is brewing ahead of the most enjoyable legal bash of the year.

Guests will ascend the glass-panelled lifts of the Cheesegrater, the tapering tower officially known as the Leadenhall Building, for the Legal Cheek Awards 2019 sponsored by BARBRI International.

The exclusive ceremony takes place on the evening of Thursday 21 March in the iconic London landmark’s 42nd Floor events venue.

Following a prosecco and canapé reception, the evening will kick off with a short presentation of the findings of Legal Cheek‘s Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) survey. Then a short film produced exclusively for the event by the Legal Cheek team will be shown.

After guests refresh their glasses it’ll be time to announce the winners of our 23 shortlists. Legal Cheek student campus ambassadors will present the gongs alongside award sponsors and legal celebrities, including Love Island solicitor Rosie Williams and barrister and activist Charlotte Proudman. Free-flowing drinks and deluxe canapés will be in plentiful supply to celebrate the top-trainee rated law firms and chambers of the year. The night’s 300 guests will network to the backdrop of London’s night skyline and the glamorous surrounds of the UK’s highest dedicated events space.

Ahead of the glitzy ceremony, we caught up with a number of our sponsors and celebrity judges to gauge why they’re looking forward to the hottest event in the legal calendar.

Sarah Hutchinson, BARBRI International’s managing director

“BARBRI is delighted to present the award for ‘The Trainee and Junior Lawyer Firm of the Year 2019’. This award is the best measure of success in the recruitment and development of the next generation of the legal profession, because it is voted for by the future lawyers themselves. It is well-deserved recognition for the expertise and dedication of the winning team.”

Rosie Williams, solicitor and Love Island contestant

Best Use of Social Media 2019 judge

“It is an honour to be attending the Legal Cheek Awards this month. Throughout my entire legal career I’ve always loved Legal Cheek for the modern way in which it approaches the law. The articles are both entertaining and informative. It’s also great to see that there is an award for the ‘Best Use of Social Media 2019’! I’ve always felt that although the law should maintain legal traditions, it also needs to recognise how society has developed. This award clearly demonstrates appreciation of how modern technology is now being used by those in the legal field.”

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare

“We’re delighted to present the award for ‘Best Law Firm for Work/Life Balance 2019’ and look forward to the night, which is always a great opportunity to meet new people and find out more about the nominees.”

Charlotte Proudman, academic, activist and human rights barrister at Goldsmith Chambers

Best Legal Cheek Journal contribution 2019 judge

“I’m really excited to meet the next generation of young lawyers at the cutting edge of social legal issues. Reading their articles helps us older lawyers keep our ear to the ground, knowing what those in their twenties think of the law.”

Sara Duxbury, business psychologist and head of commercial at Carter Corson

“We know how challenging it can be for partners in law firms having to juggle fulfilling the commercial needs of their role in the firm with wanting to remain available to those around them to offer advice, guidance and support. That’s why we’re excited to be presenting the award for ‘Best Law Firm for Partner Approachability 2019’, to reward and recognise those law firms who advocate and encourage their leaders to be visible, engaging and supportive to their teams.”

Camilla Avery, head of HR and advocacy recruitment at LPC Law

“Journalists and lawyers are uniquely joined by their ability to research, draft, edit and present often complex information, either to inform or entertain the reader or persuade a judge of your client’s case. Accordingly, LPC Law is delighted to recognise the sterling efforts of the nominees for the ‘Best Legal Cheek Journal Contribution 2019′ award and we look forward to announcing the winner on the night.”

Helen Ford, managing director of BarSquared

“We recognise that the quality and variety of work that we do has played a big part in our success. It motivates our staff, whilst broadening our experience. We all thrive in a positive and challenging environment, so we’re delighted to sponsor the award for ‘Best Chambers for Quality of Work 2019’.”

Check out the shortlists for the Legal Cheek Awards 2019.

Watch the highlights from last year’s Awards

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