Harper Macleod take top firm award
7 Feb 06
Winners announced for Scottish Legal Awards 2006
The Scottish Legal Awards for 2006 have named Harper Macleod as Firm of the Year, in a ceremony which also saw Lord Cullen receive a special award for his lifetime's service in the law.
The awards, sponsored by recruitment specialists Cuthbert, were announced at a gala lunch in Glasgow's Hilton Hotel at which former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond was the star speaker.
It was a successful day for the Glasgow-based commercial firm, as it also took the Corporate Team of the Year category while solicitor Bruce Caldow from the firm was named Rising Star of the Year.
Several other firms have reason to be pleased with the decisions of the judges, an independent panel led by Margo Macdonald MSP. David Bone, Wright Johnston & Mackenzie's renewables specialist, took Partner of the Year and his firm's Contact magazine was judged Marketing Initiative of the Year.
Team awards went to Boyds (commercial property), Morton Fraser (residential property), Burness (employment) and Anderson Strathern (specialist client) - despite a special mention in the last category for Govan Law Centre.
Support staff were not ignored as Pagan Osborne's business improvement team took the team award, while Charlene Carberry of Bishops was named Paralegal of the Year.
Lord Cullen, recently retired as Lord President and Lord Justice General, said he was surprised but deeply honoured to receive his award. The citation highlighted his work on the Piper Alpha, Dunblane and Ladbroke Grove inquiries as well as his judicial work.
Stressing the importance of strong client commendations in the nominees' submissions, Margo Macdonald said the entries had almost without exception been of every bit as high a standard as the previous year's.