Organisers of the Manchester Legal Awards have urged firms across the city region to get their entries in - and said there will not be an extension to the deadline this year.
The all-important date is nearing, with the deadline for entries for this year's "stellar" event set for 5.30pm on April 23.
Applicants are today being told by the Manchester Law Society that unlike in previous years, the deadline will not be extended.
This year’s ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 17. It will take place online and chief executive Fran Eccles-Bech has promised a "stellar" event with a host of surprises and several famous faces introducing some of the awards.
To reflect the challenges of the past year, two new categories have been created. In-house Lawyer of the Year and Business Support Champion/s, which will recognise the unsung heroes from HR, finance, IT or admin who have supported their colleagues by going above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic.
Nominations are now open, and Ms Eccles-Bech said: “The legal community has been under intense pressure during the pandemic, adapting its ways of working, handling increased workloads and dealing with unforeseen challenges.
“It’s more important than ever that we look out for each other and take time out to celebrate some of the extraordinary work that’s been achieved during these unprecedented times.
“We’ve got some big surprises in store throughout our online ceremony and are encouraging people to attend alongside colleagues, clients, family and friends, even if they haven’t entered. It will be a great evening!
“As ever, we hope people support our efforts by taking either an advertisement in our iconic event brochure or sponsoring an award. This year’s virtual event will be attended by more people than ever before so it’s a great opportunity to reach a huge audience.
“Later in the year, we’ll be holding a ‘Well After After Show Party’, where award winners will be presented with their awards by the category sponsors.”
John Hyde from the Law Society will co-host this year’s event, which is supported by RMS Creative Communications and MEN Media.
All entries, with the exception of the Business Support Champion/s and Lifetime Achievement, will be assessed against four criteria by a panel of judges from the legal and business community.
The deadline for entries is Friday, April 23 – this will not be extended as in previous years.
The 22 categories in the Manchester Legal Awards 2021 are:
- Trainee/Paralegal/Apprentice of the Year
- Solicitor of the Year
- Pro Bono/Community Initiative
- Law Firm Innovation
- Corporate/Commercial Team of the Year
- Crime Team of the Year
- Employment Team of the Year
- Family Team of the Year
- Litigation Team of the Year
- Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Team of the Year
- Private Client Team of the Year
- Property Team of the Year
- Regulatory Team of the Year
- In-house Lawyer of the Year
- Barrister/QC of the Year
- Barristers’ Chambers of the Year
- Partner of the Year
- Small Law Firm of the Year (1-5 partners nationally)
- Medium Law Firm of the Year (6-20 partners nationally)
- Large Law Firm of the Year (20+ partners nationally)
- Business Support Champion/s
- Lifetime Achievement
