Watson Woodhouse achieved a remarkable feat at the Northern Law Awards 2024 on Thursday night, securing four prestigious accolades. Our team celebrated this significant achievement by attending the awards ceremony held at St. James’ Park in Newcastle upon Tyne. The Northern Law Awards recognises and celebrates the region’s abundant legal talent and achievements. The law event is for all legal professionals practising and working in the North of England. Earlier this year, Watson Woodhouse was honoured to be shortlisted as a finalist for six awards:
- Rising Star of the Year
- Trainee of the Year
- Lawyer of the Year
- Personal Injury/Clinic Negligence Team of the Year
- Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year
- Pro Bono/Community Initiative
Watson Woodhouse are delighted to announce from our six finalist awards we have won Rising Star of the Year, Lawyer of the Year, Outstanding Achievement Award, and Litigation and Dispute Team of the Year!
Rising Star of the Year Winner – Abigail Gowland
To be recognised as a finalist for Rising Star of the Year, applicants must display a clear ability to contribute to the future management and growth of an organisation, show outstanding career development, and demonstrate initiative. Abigal Gowland, recognised for her unparalleled level of legal insight and rapid career development, has been named Rising Star of the Year. Abigail’s promotion to Deputy Team Leader of the inquest and public inquiries department and her initiation of a judicial review against the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care are just a few of the remarkable achievements highlighting her exceptional skills and dedication. Judges described Abigal as someone who “demonstrates real care for vulnerable clients while recognising the commercial reality of operating a law firm, and a clear understanding and support of the community in which the business is situated having set up a Free Walk-in and CAB clinics.”
Lawyer of the Year Winner – Sarah Ann Magson
To be considered as a finalist for Lawyer of the Year, nominees must exhibit outstanding legal, business development and employee development skills. Alongside, showcasing excellent leadership, client satisfaction, and exemplifying innovation and enterprise. Sarah Ann Magson’s seamless transition from Head of the Civil Litigation Department to Operations Manager has showcased her exceptional leadership and management skills, winning her Lawyer of the Year. Sarah exemplifies excellence in legal skills, business development, leadership, innovation, employee development, and client satisfaction. She plays a key role in the Senior Leadership Team of the firm and strives to grow the business as much as possible. Furthermore, Sarah’s commitment to employee development is commendable, as she plays a key role in nurturing talent within the firm and fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth. The judges stated, “We have chosen this candidate due to her exceptional legal skills in fighting for her clients and challenging the law where appropriate. She has overseen huge growth in the size of her firm but also the breadth of services offered. Whilst she has taken on a new role, she continues to oversee the development of her team and she has been key to establishing the core values for the firm.”
Outstanding Achievement Award – Alistair Smith
To achieve the Outstanding Achievement Award, individuals must have shown significant achievement over many years and made an outstanding contribution to the legal profession or the organisation they are part of. Alistair Smith’s astonishing career, spanning over three decades, has been marked by significant accomplishments and a lasting impact on the legal community. Alistair was the driving force behind the change in rules in the CICA scheme in relation to the ‘same roof rule’. Also, Alistair has been one of the driving forces behind the scheme offered to victims of the Medomsley Detention Centre. More recently, Alistair has been heavily involved in the push for a Public Inquiry into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust and notably represents the families of the three girls who all died as patients at the Trust. Read more of Alistair’s incredible achievements here.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Team of the Year
To meet the criteria for finalist status in this category, nominees must exhibit outstanding legal expertise, demonstrating their ability to navigate complex disputes and achieve successful resolutions. The Litigation and Dispute Resolution team have won Team of the Year, reflecting their merit in handling high-profile cases and advocating for justice. Among their list of high-profile cases includes reopening the cold case of the murder of Ann Heron, Durham Constabulary’s only unsolved murder, representing victims of high-profile abuse cases such as the Rotherham grooming circle and receiving a second inquest for Youseff Makki’s family. The judges stated, “With a diversity of services, they have clearly demonstrated how their team works across all areas. They deliver results which have ultimately changed national legal policy. This David has challenged Goliath and champions those who do not have a voice.” Not only do the incredible achievements of our award winners stand testament to Watson Woodhouse’s success, but so too do our nomination finalists.
Trainee of the Year Finalist – Lois Hepworth
In order to be a finalist for Trainee of the Year, the Trainee Solicitor must demonstrate second-to-none legal skills, significant development throughout their training, client service skills, initiative, and a notable contribution to the business. Lois Hepworth’s outstanding legal skills, rapid development, and unwavering dedication to client care attained her a spot as a finalist for the Trainee of the Year award. Among many other accomplishments, Lois took charge of the Housing Court Duty initiative at Teesside Court and recently concluded her first inquest, managing the entire process from inception to resolution.
Personal Injury/Clinic Negligence Team of the Year Finalists
To be considered for finalist in this category, teams must demonstrate legal expertise reflected in their ability to handle complex cases with precision and skill. Alongside, showcasing excellence in client service, project management skills and the ability to work as a team. Watson Woodhouse’s Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence department, recognised for their exceptional legal experience, received a nomination for Team of the Year. The team has consistently delivered outstanding results in personal injury and clinical negligence cases, particularly in complex multi-track cases and fatal accidents following an inquest. Whether it’s catastrophic injuries or long-term disabilities, our team’s depth of knowledge ensures comprehensive representation and optimal outcomes for our clients.
Pro Bono/Community Initiative Finalists – Free Walk-in Law Clinic
To qualify as a finalist in this category, organisations must demonstrate a strong commitment to delivering pro bono legal advice or community initiatives in the North of England. Watson Woodhouse’s Free Walk-in Law Clinic was honoured to be named as a finalist for the Pro Bono/Community Initiative award for its outstanding contribution to the community. By providing accessible legal advice to those in need, the clinic exemplifies the firm’s commitment to promoting justice and supporting the community.
Looking Forward
As Watson Woodhouse celebrates these remarkable achievements, the firm remains dedicated to its clients and community, continuously striving for brilliance and innovation in the legal field. The awards from the Northern Law Awards 2024 are not just accolades but also a testament to the firm’s ongoing commitment to making a difference.
