Manchester Legal Awards 2011

More than 500 lawyers and staff from the Manchester's legal firms attended the Manchester Law Society's annual Legal Awards ceremony on Thursday evening.

Launched last year, the awards are a means for the Manchester Law Society to acknowledge both individual and organisational excellence in legal business. The judging panel - including Frans Eccles Bech, executive director of the Manchester Law Society and His Honour Judge Holman - received more than 280 entries overall.  

The awards were divided into 19 categories including Partner of the Year, Trainee of the Year, Law Firm of the Year (small, medium and large) along with awards for the main law firm departments.

Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) was named Private Client Team of the Year. Amanda McAlister, national Head of Family Law for RJW, commented on collecting the award: "We are delighted to receive this accolade; our private client offering is a key area for growth within the firm.

"The private client team was formed only twelve months ago and to have reached this level so early on is a testament to the entire team's hard work. Also, to be acknowledged this way, when our surrounding legal community is so talented and innovative, is a real honour."

The Law Firm of the Year awards went to Addleshaw Goddard (large firm), George Davies (medium firm) and Abney Garsden McDonald (small firm).