Luke Tapp of Pinsent Masons wins 'Young Lawyer of the Year', Jamie Liddington, of Hadef & Partners, named 'Lawyers' Lawyer of the Year’ and Clyde & Co. wins 'Legal Education Law Firm of the Year' DLA Piper Middle East awarded ‘Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year' and Philippa English named 'Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year'
Some of the UAE’s most outstanding lawyers have been recognised by their peers at the sixth annual DIFC Academy of Law Annual Gala, which took place at the JW Marriot Marquis hotel in Dubai.
The Annual Gala is organised by the Academy of Law, with all proceeds going towards a range of initiatives, including the Academy of Law Pro Bono Programme fund, which also includes CSR initiatives, and the Academy Scholarship Programme, for high-achieving UAE law students.
David Gallo, Director, Academy of Law, said: “The Annual Gala is an opportunity for the legal community to celebrate its collective achievements of the past year. An event organised by lawyers for lawyers, an undoubted highlight is the chance to honour the outstanding contributions of firms and individual practitioners. On behalf of the Academy, I congratulate all the winners and thank all those who were part of making the sixth annual Legal Gala such a success.”
Following a live vote by over 750 gathered members of the UAE’s local and international legal community, Luke Tapp, Senior Associate, Pinsent Masons, was named ‘Young Lawyer of the Year’ for exhibiting the skill and professionalism of a lawyer beyond their years over the last 12 months. For his contribution to the legal profession, Jamie Liddington, Partner, Head of Employment, Hadef & Partners, was voted ‘Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year.’
Separately, a panel of judges from the DIFC Academy of Law selected Clyde & Co. as ‘Legal Education Law Firm of the Year’ for the strength of their commitment to provide legal education to improve the competencies of legal professionals.
In recognition of their commitment to the programme, Philippa English of Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) Middle East was named ‘Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year’ at the Annual Gala, with DLA Piper Middle East LLP awarded ‘Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year’.
Philippa English added: “The Legal Gala provided a great opportunity for the legal community to get together to show our commitment to the Academy of Law, as well as our support for our peers. The Academy does such valuable work in supporting the wider DIFC community and I have been lucky enough to be able to assist them with some of the many initiatives they offer over the years. HFW and I remain committed to the Pro Bono initiative both and will continue to support going forward.” The Pro Bono Programme is designed to ensure that professional legal advice is available to anyone who can demonstrate that they are unable to afford legal representation. Volunteer legal professionals hold clinics each week at the DIFC Dispute Resolution Authority offices, with more than 600 people receiving help so far in 2017.
