National paralegal awards 2021: winners celebrate

The best paralegals in the legal profession were celebrated at the prestigious National Paralegal Awards on 23 September 2021.

The legal awards, now in their third year, were hosted by the Professional Paralegal Register (PPR) last Thursday.

Last month, the finalists were announced for the annual awards, which set out to find the best paralegals in the UK and businesses that support the legal industry.

The UK Diversity Legal Awards committee virtually welcomed paralegals from across the country to mark the “outstanding achievements of both UK firms and individuals.” The prize winners will enjoy a winner’s lunch on 18 October and claim their trophies at the Leonard City Hotel in London.

The categories are sponsored by a variety of businesses that work within the legal sector, including Dentons and Trowers & Hamlins, and legal membership organisations.

This year there were three new categories and the headline sponsor is Right Legal Group.

Managing director of the PPR, Rita Leat, commented: “Once again we are delighted to have been supported by the legal community to come together and celebrate the work and achievements of paralegals.”

Professor Stephen Mayson was awarded the PPR’s ‘outstanding achievement award’ for his dedication to the legal lector and his independent review of legal services regulation.

Here is the list of the award winners: 

Best family law paralegal:

• Rebecca Coombes – Right Legal  

Best employment / HR paralegal:

• John Paul Stothard F.Inst.Pa

Best patent paralegal:

• Vicky Maynard – CIPA 

Best arbitration and mediation paralegal:

• Beth Jameson – Gafta (The Grain and Feed Trade Association)

Best conveyancing paralegal:

• Emma Clifford – Lawrence Stephens Limited  

Best civil litigation paralegal:

• Melanie Salsbury – Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Best probate research paralegal:

• Helen Sharrock – Estate Research   

Best trademark paralegal:

• Gail Nicol – Cameron Intellectual Property  

Best will writing paralegal:

• Michael Cressey – Brachers LLP  

Paralegal business of the year:

• First Steps Legal  

Will writing organisation of the year:

• Heritage Wills  

Paralegal recruitment organisation of the year:

• The Stephen James Partnership  

Best law firm paralegal development:

• Trowers & Hamlins LLP  

Best commercial real estate paralegal:

• Laurence Leech – Dentons UK and Middle East LLP

Community champion of the year

• Lisa Hendy – Novum Law

Best newcomer of the year

• Rebecca Coombes – The Family Law Company

Paralegal of the year (in the north):

• Helen Sharrock – Estate Research  

Paralegal of the year (in the south):

• Jenny Carter – Coodes Solicitors

Paralegal of the year (in the Midlands):

• Melanie Salsbury – Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Paralegal of the year:

• Melanie Salsbury – Trowers & Hamlins LLP

The judges awarded highly commended to the following contestants.

Best family law paralegal:

• Craig Johnson – JPS Paralegal

Best patent paralegal:

• Kelly Firmager – Johnson Matthey Public Limited Company

Best conveyancing paralegal:

• Georgia Boardman – Trowers & Hamlins LLP  

Best civil litigation paralegal:

• Harvey Lavis – Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Best will writing paralegal:

• Nick Ash – Will & Probate Services   

Will writing organisation of the year:

• Right Legal Group

Best probate research paralegal:

• Ben Cornish – Fraser and Fraser  

Best law firm paralegal development:

• Hennah Haywood Law  

Paralegal of the year (in the north):

• Claire Miller – Langton Genealogy;
• Emma Leedham – Waddington Turner Wall Solicitors;
• Georgia Boardman – Trowers & Hamlins LLP; and
• John Paul Stothard F.Inst.Pa.

Paralegal of the year (in the south):

• Michael Cressey – Brachers LLP; and
• Sharon Baker – Mowll & Mowll.

Best newcomer of the year:

• Asbeena Saumtally – The Family Law Company;
• Darcy Blaney – Right Legal Group;
• Ellie Sawyer – Loch Employment Law; and
• Jenny Carter – Jenny Carter.

For further information visit the National Paralegal Awards website.