Photo: Left to right: Dave Hilton, former Scotland and Bath Rugby Union player (star guest); Carolynn Jones, Wessex Searches (sponsor); Emily Prout, Thrings (winner of the Lawyer of the Year award); Graeme Beveridge – former Scotland and Bristol player (star guest) and; Wallace Dobbin, local bass player, barrister and business strategist (host).
The recognition by the county’s legal profession comes hot on the heels of the team’s top-tier ranking last month in one of the UK’s most respected legal directories, Legal 500.
Taking home another prize for Thrings was Emily Prout, associate solicitor in the Commercial Dispute Resolution team, who received the Lawyer of the Year award.
The GWILS awards, in their second year since being relaunched in 2017, are designed to reward the excellence of both legal professionals and the colleagues that support them – whether legal cashiers, secretaries, receptionists, office managers or assistants.
Nominees across all categories were judged on factors including their commitment to clients and colleagues, their contribution to the profession or the wider community, professionalism, dedication, leadership, energy and going the extra mile.
Emily Prout commented on her and the team’s triumphs: “It’s been a great year for the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Thrings as we continue to be recognised for the excellent work we are doing to help businesses in the counties of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. It’s very rewarding to know that we are making a positive contribution to these thriving regional economies.”
Thrings also took home a number of runner-up prizes, with Jo Barr coming second place for the Junior Lawyer of the Year accolade; Scott Robins receiving a Judges’ Honourable mention for his services to the community; Alice Brydon as runner-up and Christine Coote among the finalists for the Support Team Member of the Year and; John Davies coming in second place for the President’s Outstanding Achievement Award.
The high-calibre submissions from across the county were provided anonymously and considered by an independent panel of judges to ensure recognition based on merit.
The winners were announced at a three-course, black tie dinner at the Bowood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort on 22 November 2018, which attracted 150 members of the counties’ legal communities.
Hosting and presenting the awards alongside GWILS President, Ramona Derbyshire of Thrings, were local bass player, barrister and business strategist, Wallace Dobbin, as well former international rugby players for Scotland and Bath Rugby Union, Dave Hilton and Graeme Beveridge, the latter also a former Bristol player.
The 2018 awards helped to raise £1,000 for the Doddie Weir Foundation which supports research into Motor Neurone Disease.
Thrings trainee, Scott Robins, was appointed chair of GWILS’ Junior Lawyer Division in June (more here).
For more information about the awards, please visit www.gwils.co.uk
