Walker Morris wins three awards at the inaugural Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards

Olivia Prescott (nee Robinson) won Finance Rising Star of the Year and Charlotte Smith won Employment Rising Star of the Year. Walker Morris was also awarded Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the year for its collaboration with other professional services firms on the Stronger Together in Leeds network.

The awards, held recently in Manchester, mark the outstanding achievements across law firms and individuals in the region in 23 categories.

The awards recognise the lawyers, law firms and in-house legal setting the pace in the North, providing a platform to celebrate their achievements over the last 18 months. The shortlists and winners were determined based on the Legal 500’s market-leading independent research for the annual solicitors guide.

Olivia is a Director in the Restructuring & Insolvency team dealing with all aspects of contentious and non-contentious corporate and personal insolvency work. Her typical clients are insolvency practitioners, lenders, directors and overseas investment funds. Described in the Legal 500 as being “extremely knowledgeable and experienced beyond her years, a real star and an asset to the insolvency team”, Olivia works with companies in the financial services and regulated sector, with a particular focus on FCA regulated businesses.

Charlotte is a Director in our Employment & Immigration and Sport groups. She leads the Employment-Sport practice, working with several Premier League and English Football League clubs on matters such as manager/coaching staff contract negotiation and sports litigation, including FA and Premier League arbitration. Charlotte also advises on all aspects of general employment law and has close relationships with clients in the food, drink and manufacturing sectors. Charlotte is described as “fantastic”, “very responsive, practical and easy to deal with” and is praised for “building trusted relationships very quickly both locally and internationally” and providing advice which “balances commercial and legal requirements” in the Legal 500.

The Stronger Together network brings together leaders from the six largest law firms and the big four accountancy firms in Leeds to establish a network to champion racial diversity, inclusion and equality in the professional services sector. The network aims to promote and encourage best practice across the sector and show that diverse and inclusive leadership is a true driver for change.

You can view the full winners list here: https://www.legal500.com/events/northern-powerhouse-awards/winners/