News

We are very pleased to announce that Duncan Lewis has been shortlisted for 8 awards at the Lawyer Monthly Legal Awards 2017!

Lawyer Monthly celebrates the legal industry globally and recognise the vital work of lawyers, and mark their successes and outstanding achievements. There are a number of factors that are taken into account during the shortlisting process, such as innovation in client care, involvement in significant legal cases and legal expertise.

Our shortlist includes:

1. Administrative and Public Law Firm of the Year

The firm is now placed at Tier 1 in Legal 500 for immigration and asylum law, while director Toufique Hossain is ranked as a ‘Leader in his field’ in Chambers and recommended in Legal 500. The team boasts 22 reported cases from 2016, many of which are used in training by leading chambers.

2. Family Law Solicitor of the Year: Director Emine Mehmet

Childcare Director and Chairperson of Duncan Lewis’ Pro Bono Committee, Emine, has extensive experience in representing the most vulnerable in public law children proceedings, private law family applications for injunctions, emergency orders to prevent the unlawful removal of a child from the UK and representing children in private law proceedings.

3. Housing Law Solicitor of the Year: Director Heather Iqbal Rayner

Director at the Cardiff Office Heather Iqbal Rayner specialises in housing, civil, public and social welfare law. She is also a past chair of the Junior Lawyers Division, a member of the Law Society's Membership Committee, and an active member of the Law Works & Duncan Lewis Cardiff Pro Bono Clinic.

4. Criminal Law Solicitor of the Year – Director Rubin Italia

Rubin Italia is Director and joint-head of the Crime department at the firm. He is a highly regarded expert, specialising in criminal defence and civil liberties work including road traffic offences, murder, rape, extradition and all serious crime, such as large-scale drug conspiracies and immigration-related crimes. He leads a criminal defence team that is recognised by Chambers UK as a top tier practice in Uxbridge, Watford and the Surrounding Areas.

5. Public Law Solicitor of the Year: Director Toufique Hossain

Director of Public Law Toufique Hossain specialises in immigration and asylum matters, and is developing practice in wider public law issues. He is committed to challenging the Home Office’s unlawful policies and practices, whilst nurturing a new generation of lawyers to do the same.

6. Public Law Solicitor of the Year – Director Ahmed Aydeed

Recently appointed Public Law Director for the Birmingham Office Ahmed Aydeed qualified as a solicitor in May 2015 and practises in the Public Law/Immigration Department at Duncan Lewis. He specialises in challenging unlawful detention in complex and high-profile cases, the resulting decisions of which have benefited thousands of detained asylum-seekers.

7. Public Law Solicitor of the Year: Solicitor Lewis Kett

Public Law Solicitor Lewis Kett specialises in running Judicial Review challenges in immigration, asylum and human rights. The first trainee solicitor to be named Times Lawyer of the Week, he has played a key role in notable public law cases positively affecting thousands of asylum-seekers and detainees.

8. Legal Marketing Law Firm of the Year

The firm’s marketing team handles the marketing, press and business development for all of the Duncan Lewis’ offices nationwide and for over 20 departments. Our key objectives are increasing brand awareness and initiating in communications both internal and external. The team is also committed to its Legal Outreach Initiative, which has allowed us to ensure we can provide our legal services to vulnerable clients from all pockets of the country with maximum accessibility.

Results will be announced week commencing 11th September.

Huge congratulations to all individuals and team who have been recognised for their hard work and commitment to their respective fields. Good luck everyone!