News

Budding lawyers receive industry acclaim from senior Leeds legal figures
Law students in Leeds have been awarded top cash prizes and summer work placements as winners of the first city-wide essay competition of its kind at a prestigious award ceremony last week.

Leeds Legal, an alliance of the city’s major law firms, hosted a prize-giving ceremony at the Hilton Leeds City hotel and awarded Tom Royston from Leeds Metropolitan University the coveted top prize - winning a cash sum of £1,000 plus a summer placement with Lupton Fawcett LLP in Leeds.

The Leeds Legal Essay Competition offered law students the opportunity to write a 5,000 word essay focusing on topical legal issues for the chance to win some top prizes. The competition attracted a range of quality essay submissions from students at Leeds Metropolitan University, BBP Law School and University of Leeds.

Tom (29), who is in his first year studying a Graduate Diploma in Law at the Civic Quarter campus, wowed the judges, including senior legal professionals, with his well researched, balanced and compelling essay tackling the issue of compliance within employment law. His essay looked at the changes to employment law emanating from the EU and the financial impact this is having on UK businesses.

Friday’s ceremony also awarded Corrine Manfield, from Leeds Metropolitan University, with the runner-up prize of £250 and a two-week summer placement at Shulmans Solicitors for her essay on insolvency law.

In addition, three third placed students (one from each of the city’s three law schools) all won a similar placement. Nicholas Dent from Leeds Metropolitan University, Sharmeen Musaji from University of Leeds and Chris Robinson from BBP Law School are all looking forward to joining Pinsent Masons, Gordons LLP and Irwin Mitchell, respectively, for two weeks this summer.

Alan M. Baker, chairman of Leeds Legal, said: “We launched the competition this year to give budding lawyers the opportunity to explore topical legal issues for the chance to win some great prizes. The standard of submissions has been incredibly high. There are clearly a lot of young, talented lawyers in the city, which is great to see.

“The Leeds Legal essay competition and the work placements being awarded as prizes, provide an excellent opportunity for some of the City’s law firms to develop relationships with lawyers at the early stages of their careers. Leeds is the largest legal centre outside of London and as such Leeds law firms are committed to attracting and retaining the best legal talent. We hope that as a result of their placements, these lawyers will see the huge career potential which Leeds has to offer.”

Tom Royston, said: “I am delighted to have won and I can’t wait to join Lupton Fawcett LLP for my summer placement. It’s a great opportunity to gain vital experience within a professional environment. I am looking forward to applying the knowledge I have developed in my first year of my diploma to real legal issues, and, of course, learning from my mentor.”

Terry Moran, head of Leeds Law School at Leeds Metropolitan University, said: “The essay competition is a great opportunity for the city’s law students to shine in front of some of the city’s senior legal figures. The essay topics enabled the students to address some really significant legal topics and demonstrate their knowledge, skills and expertise developed through their course studies.

“We are pleased to be a part of such a unique initiative, and I would like to personally congratulate all the winning students, especially Tom and Corrine for their inspired work.”

Leeds Legal is the only city-based legal sector promotional campaign in the country. The body promotes law firms in the area and the high levels of service, expertise, no nonsense advice and value for money it says they provide. The organisation also administers an international programme of events, supported by UK Trade and Investment, the government organisation supporting domestic firms doing business internationally and overseas companies wanting to invest here. Leeds Legal is one of the most successful city agencies to utilise European and international trade missions.

Ends

For more information about Leeds Legal or the essay competition, please contact the Leeds Legal press office on pressoffice@leedslegal.co.uk or call +44 (0)113 220 0747.

Note to Editors:

Leeds Legal is the first city-based legal sector marketing campaign which promotes Leeds’ collective legal services. Supported by the Leeds Law Society and regional office of The Law Society of England and Wales, Leeds Legal is funded by a number of key sponsors including UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) Millnet Northern, Jet2.com, Hilton Leeds City hotel, Leeds Metropolitan University and Marketing Leeds. The Leeds office of corporate legal practices Pinsent Masons, DLA Piper, Lupton Fawcett and Clarion Solicitors are spearheading the campaign. Associate sponsors of the initiative include: Beachcroft, Gordons, Irwin Mitchell and Shulmans.

More information is available at www.leedslegal.co.uk


<< back