Annual Award Winners 2023

On Friday 28th April, we welcomed over 400 guests to the East Midlands Conference Centre, to 'A Night at the Opera' in celebration of the 2023 Annual Awards.

President Janine McKinney and Head of Operations, Michelle Foster greeted guests, with the classical music played in the background by the string quartet, Highly Strung. The evening began with a President's Drinks Reception, kindly sponsored by Review Solicitors , the guests walked along the red carpet into the large function room, filled with floral decor of candelabras, kindly sponsored by Brewin Dolphin, Once again, Conference Works provided excellent sound, audio and visual effects, the East Midlands Conference Centre provided not only a beautiful venue but, fantastic food and service. We would also like to thank Ginger Root Design for their creative event design on all the invitations and table booklets, Print Co for producing all the print work and finally, Paul Smith Designs for the amazing table gifts. The evening had an operatic interruption from the amazing Saira Luther and Lawrence Thackeray, Opera Redefined with an exclusive on-stage performance from HHJ Godsmark KC in the role of Don José, from the opera Carmen.

Finally we must thank our patron sponsors, Severn Trent Water Searches and Marsh Speciality for their continued support to the Nottinghamshire Law Society.

There were two aims of the evening, firstly recognising the winners of the prestigious law society award categories and secondly to raise mega thousands for a small Nottinghamshire charity, IMARA, chosen by President, Janine McKinney. Charlotte Caulton-Scott represented the charity and shared many reasons why IMARA needed the Society's help with fundraising to keep their supportive work with children that have suffered sexual abuse in Nottinghamshire. Last year, we raised over £7k for the Dame Agnes Mellers Charity, this year we exceeded the total raised again, with a total of over £8k!

The evening's closing entertainment was the local Nottinghamshire Northern Soul Band, Stonewall Jackson - the dance floor was full to 1am!

Following on from shortlisting the nominations for the 2022 awards, we once again announced nominations before sharing the worthy winner's name, the sense of excitement and support in the room for all those nominated in the various categories was overwhelming, the atmosphere was certainly electric and to add to the atmosphere, we had two new awards to present, Team of the Year and Partner of the Year!

President Janine McKinney hosted the main awards with co-presenters from the judging panel, Janine McKinney (Vice President), Stephen Luke (Deputy Vice President), Philip Turton (Past President), Lauren Crow (Equality & Diversity Chair) and Andrew Dennis (Resolution Council Member), Marie Dancer (Broxtowe Constituency Seat) and Manesha Ruperal (Derby & District Law Society President). The co-presenters were joined by representatives from the awards sponsors, Jeremy Janes (KCH Garden Square), Jayne Adams KC (Ropewalk Chambers), Annabel Lenton (1 High Pavement), Helen Avis (The University of Law), Elliot Norton (The Access Group), John Harris (Office Team), Richard Medd (Browne Jacobson), Andrew MacMillan (Gateley Legal) and Mark Wood (Eversheds-Sutherland). We would like to say a huge thank you to all our award sponsors, their continued support is very much appreciated.

The buzz on social media since Friday has been amazing, we have loved seeing your pictures shared and the comments and votes of thanks to the Society for a great evening have been lovely to read - thank you!

So who are the lucky winners of the awards, here we go...