An “exceptionally strong” shortlist has been revealed for this year’s LALYs (Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards).
Finalists include Marcia Willis-Stewart, managing partner of Birnberg Peirce, the solicitor who acted for the family of Mark Duggan during the inquest into the police shooting of Mark. Marcia, who is also acting for the families of 75 Hillsborough victims, is up for the inaugural public law award.
Rebecca Stevens, of Withy King in Bath, who was praised by the President of the Family Division after doing 100 hours unpaid work for a father who didn’t qualify for legal aid, is a contender for the family LALY.
There is a new children’s rights award, sponsored by Accesspoint, and a new access to justice through IT award, sponsored by the Legal Education Foundation.
The LALYs, now in their 13th year, are organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG). The awards ceremony will take place at 6.30pm on 1 July at the Plaisterers’ Hall in London.
