Hear from the judging panel, view the menu and read the full shortlist
Welcome to the virtual programme for the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2024. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the awards ceremony, from who’s hosting and what’s on the menu, to the all-important shortlist.
Jump to: Venue | Host | Menu | Timings | Entertainment | Sponsors | Judges | Shortlist | Share your feedback | Meet the team
Kicking off the programme below is an introduction from James Staton, President of the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies, who chaired the independent judging panel.
“These are the 25th Yorkshire Legal Awards, which celebrate all that is excellent about the legal profession in Yorkshire and we are holding the event for the first time in this fantastic venue. I am sure that we are all going to have a great night celebrating the best of Yorkshire’s legal talent.
“The standard was universally high, and the judges had a virtually impossible task to select the finalists for each category. All finalists should be very proud of themselves. In all categories it was very tight at the top with the eventual winners being the best of a very good bunch.
“Every firm and individual who was nominated should be proud. They all show the great depth of legal talent that there is in Yorkshire.”
And a welcome note from Nigel Williams, product director of our headline sponsor, LexisNexis Enterprise Solutions:
“We are delighted to welcome you to the 25th annual Yorkshire Legal Awards!
I am Nigel Williams, product director at LexisNexis Enterprise Solutions, where we are the case, knowledge and matter management software specialists with a proud history as a native Yorkshire company, as well as tonight’s headline sponsor.
Tonight is about celebrating you – the brilliant legal minds of Yorkshire! With multiple reports evidencing Leeds as the UK’s fastest growing legal centre, surpassing London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol, it really is an exciting time to be a lawyer in Leeds.
So, here’s to 25 years of excellence, to the award winners of tonight, and to the exciting future ahead – particularly when driven by brilliant technology. Enjoy your evening and thank you in advance for making it an event to remember.”
Thursday 10 October 2024, First Direct Arena Leeds
Dress code: Black tie
Timings
18:30 Welcome reception
20:00 Dinner
21:45 Awards
23:00 Afterparty
01:00 Carriages
Menu
Your host
Rob Rinder is a barrister turned writer and broadcaster. Alongside a legal practice specialising in financial crime, he works in the media to make the law more accessible and understandable to the public and starred in his own reality court show Judge Rinder. Rob co-hosts Amazing Hotels, Life Beyond The Lobby and is a regular co-host on Good Morning Britain.
After a brief stint at the National Youth Theatre, Rob gave up his acting ambitions to study politics, modern history, and art at university. After being called to the bar he specialised in financial crime, including money laundering, international fraud, and regulatory issues. Whilst practising law he maintained an interest in the media, writing scripts in his spare time. This saw him pitching a TV series which, although rejected, led producers to cast Rob as the judge in a UK version of the American hit Judge Judy.
Rob has also presented shows including Judge Rinder’s Crime Stories, a look at some of Britain’s less well-known but nevertheless gripping crimes, and a revamped version of Crown Court, titled Judge Rinder’s Crown Court. He also hosted the BBC Radio 5Live series Raising the Bar with the aim of demystifying the legal system, and the talkRADIO drivetime show.
Rob has competed in Strictly Come Dancing, and appeared on Have I Got News for You, Channel 4’s Alternative Election Night, Room 101, Loose Women, and Comic Relief Does University Challenge. His participation in BBC One’s Who Do You Think You Are?, in which he retraced the story of his Holocaust survivor grandfather, was critically acclaimed.
Away from the screen Rob has published Rinder Rules, a jargon-free, practical guide to the law, from divorce to consumer rights. He is also a columnist for The Sun and the London Evening Standard. In his talks Rob discusses the importance of communication, and helps the audience build their skills as an innovative communicator, focusing on the power of persuasion, influence, and presence. He also considers that difficult conversations are hard, but unavoidable, and focuses on key skills and qualities demonstrated in his life as a barrister to coach businesses on how to prepare for them by equipping employees with the right tools.
Entertainment
The entertainment for this year’s Yorkshire Legal Awards will be provided by none other than Hipster!
Since forming in 2000, Hipster have performed at over 1,000 weddings and corporate events. They were also the headline band at the Batman Live World Premier after party, and on New Year’s Eve 2011 they played to Prince Harry, who called them amazing and awesome!
Meet the judges
Shortlist
Guest feedback
Meet the Yorkshire Legal Awards team
Harry is in charge of partnerships for the #YLAwards and the wider Yorkshire Professional Services portfolio. A Suffolk boy living up north, Harry is a full time Ipswich Town fan.
harry.thomas@barkerbrooks.co.uk
Lily is the account executive for our Yorkshire Professional Services portfolio, responsible for entries and ticket enquiries. Lily is a keen runner and has completed multi half marathons.
lily.middleton@barkerbrooks.co.uk
Lauren is the events manager for our Yorkshire Professional Services portfolio. Her background is in live events; this year alone she’s organised events in London, New York, and Singapore!
