Lawyer of the Year

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MICHAEL NAPIER QC - Irwin Mitchell

After four decades at Irwin Mitchell – 29 of them as senior partner – Michael Napier QC will be stepping down as chairman of the firm in April. The former Law Society president has been instrumental in developing the firm from a small Sheffield practice to the national powerhouse it is today, on the brink of becoming a pioneering ABS firm.

 

 

This award recognises a truly exceptional individual contribution to the profession during 2011. Submissions are welcomed from private practitioners, in-house counsel and barristers. We would also encourage leading recruitment specialists and external consultants in the sector to nominate candidates they feel are worthy of consideration.

 

After four decades at Irwin Mitchell – 29 of them as senior partner – Michael Napier QC will be stepping down as chairman of the firm in April. The former Law Society president has been instrumental in developing the firm from a small Sheffield practice to the national powerhouse it is today, on the brink of becoming a pioneering ABS firm.

HIGHLY COMMENDED

JONATHAN BERKSON
Hill Dickinson

Berkson advised the successful appellant on a conditional fee arrangement in the high-profile Jivraj v Hashwani case in the Supreme Court, which ruled that arbitrators are not employees for the purposes of employment equality legislation.

JOHN HENDY QC
Old Square Chambers

2011 was a prolific year for Hendy QC, which included making an application to the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of RMT challenging much of the UK’s strike legislation, and acting for members of Unite in litigation against BA in the ECHR. He is also representing the NUJ in the high-profile Leveson inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press.

JONATHAN LEWIS
Clifford Chance

Lewis has been at the vanguard of sovereign debt restructuring in recent times, most notably designing and structuring the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) bailout fund that has dominated economic news for the last two years. His work saw him apply his technical skills under intense political and public scrutiny.

JONATHAN SUMPTION QC
Brick Court Chambers

One of the country’s most admired and celebrated legal minds, and one of the truly great courtroom stars, Sumption QC has had another outstanding year, beginning work for Roman Abramovich in the high-profile ‘battle of the oligarchs’ against Boris Berezovsky as well as receiving the ultimate accolade – being appointed a Supreme Court judge.