Judges

Duncan specialises in the law of unjust enrichment and personal property. He is Professor of Business Law at the University of Leeds where he has taught for ten years primarily in the areas of the law of trusts and secured transactions law.

Previously he worked at the University of East Anglia. He was President of the Society of Legal Scholars in Great Britain and Ireland in 2024-2025 and has worked closely with the Secured Transactions Law Reform Project and the City of London Law Society ‘s Financial Law Committee on reform proposals for the law on secured transactions, and on the private law of crypto-assets. Duncan believes strongly in helping all students whatever their background succeed and fulfil their potential. He is looking forward to bringing new perspectives to the judging panel.

James Staton has been a litigation lawyer since November 1982.  After articles at what became Lupton Fawcett, James joined the litigation team at Booth & Co, now Addleshaw Goddard, on qualification. 

He joined Wright & Wright (now Gordons) in 1985 becoming a partner in 1989.  He moved in 1997 to Ralph C Yablon and in 2001 joined Schofield Sweeney where he has been a partner ever since. 

James has a wide litigation practice.  He was President of Bradford Law Society 2012 – 2014 and President of the Huddersfield & Dewsbury Law Society in 2020- 21.  He remains on the committees of both local law societies and since May 2024 has been President of the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies.

Lana is a trainee solicitor within McCormicks Solicitors Litigation and Sports Law department. She also serves as President of the Harrogate & North Yorkshire Junior Lawyers Division, a not-for-profit organisation that connects junior legal professionals across North Yorkshire.

Alongside her legal practice, Lana holds a number of voluntary positions focused on promoting diversity and inclusion, as well as recognising innovation and achievement with organisations. These roles enable her to bring a broad and valuable perspective to the judging panel in support of selecting this year’s award winners.

Lindsey Gaimster is a Partner at MD Law in Sheffield with over 14 years’ experience as a solicitor. Lindsey originally qualified into clinical negligence before later specialising in employment law. Lindsey has practised in both Doncaster and Sheffield during her career. Lindsey is currently the President of the Sheffield and District Law Society. She is passionate about the development of the legal profession and supporting those within it.

Lindsey was a founding member of the Doncaster Junior Lawyers Division and has organised and hosted a number of Women in Law events aimed at supporting and promoting women across the profession. She works closely with local universities in Sheffield, offering career guidance and supporting aspiring lawyers entering the profession. Lindsey is also an active member of the Sheffield Law Society’s EDI Committee and Next Generation Committee, and supports new initiatives including the Legal Tech Committee. Through these roles she continues to champion collaboration, innovation and greater opportunities within the legal community across the region.

Luke is a senior lawyer within the Government Legal Department (GLD) advising on procurement and commercial law.

He has worked at GLD since 2017 in their Leeds office and is also currently President of Leeds Law Society. He is a passionate advocate for bringing a diverse range of students into the profession.

Luke studied philosophy and politics at the University of Manchester and completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at Leeds Metropolitan University and the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School. Prior to joining GLD, Luke worked at national firm Simpson Millar LLP

I am delighted to be serving as a judge for the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026, an event that celebrates the outstanding talent, innovation, and dedication within the region’s legal community. 

I practise in the field of Court of Protection at Clarion Solicitors, supporting individuals and families navigating complex matters involving mental capacity. Complementing my legal work, I am also the Chair of the Leeds Junior Lawyer Division; a not-for-profit organisation running educational and networking events for junior lawyers across Leeds and West Yorkshire. 

I am passionate about championing the next generation of legal professionals and recognising the outstanding contributions being made across the sector. It is therefore a privilege to contribute to the judging panel for this year’s awards. 

As a judge, I look forward to reviewing the achievements of this year’s nominees and contributing to the recognition of the lawyers, firms, and legal teams who continue to raise the standard of the profession across the region.  

Phillip Horsfield is a senior public sector solicitor and leader, serving as a member of the Senior Leadership Team and Service Director (Legal Services) and Monitoring Officer at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. He is the Law Society’s Council member for Yorkshire and Humberside and a former President of Lawyers in Local Government, the national membership body representing and supporting local government lawyers. With more than 20 years’ experience advising across a wide range of local authority functions, Phillip has deep expertise in governance and local government law, including planning, housing and environmental matters.