We are thrilled to announce that Duncan Lewis Solicitors has been shortlisted for five awards at this year’s Law Society’s prestigious Excellence Awards, the highest accolade for law firms in England and Wales. Public law director Toufique Hossain, and solicitors Lewis Kett and Krisha Pranthepan have each been shortlisted for Human Rights Solicitor of the Year, housing director Manjinder Kaur Atwal is shortlisted for Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice, and the firm is shortlisted for the Excellence in Business Development award.
Toufique Hossain is the Public Law director at our Harrow office where he works alongside fellow nominees Lewis Kett and Krisha Pranthepan. Toufique will be aiming to improve on his commendation at the 2017 awards when he was shortlisted for the Human Rights Solicitor of the Year. He continues to represent those seeking protection having fled persecution, torture, and trafficking. On receiving his shortlisting Toufique commented;
“To be shortlisted alongside not just one but two of my excellent team members vindicates the work we do and how far we have come. We look forward to representing Duncan Lewis’ Public Law in a field full of exceptional lawyers.”
Lewis Kett has also been previously shortlisted by The Law Society when he was nominated for Junior Lawyer of the Year in 2017. Lewis has significant experience in successfully tackling a range of judicial review challenges relating to immigration and asylum, notably his work following BBC Panorama’s exposure of the abuse of detainees by detention staff at Brook House IRC.
Solicitor Krisha Pranthepan is enjoying her first Excellence Awards shortlisting, a testament to her commitment to some of society’s most vulnerable people particularly victims of torture and human trafficking, as well as disputed minors, pregnant women in detention and those with other physical/mental difficulties.
Having three thoroughly deserving lawyers from our public law department shortlisted for Human Rights Lawyer of the Year highlights the commitment, dedication, and level of expertise within the Duncan Lewis public law department and is testament to the hard work carried out by the team every day.
Manjinder Kaur Atwal is the housing director at our Harrow office. With over 10 years’ experience in housing and property litigation law, her dedication to her practice and to pro bono work is long overdue recognition. Manjinder consistently goes above and beyond for her clients utilising her expertise in social housing law to improve the lives of her clients and improve access to justice for all. Most notably is her work assisting the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire. As well as assisting victims with their immediate housing needs, she is heavily involved in negotiations and raising awareness for those who have been impacted. She and her team were amongst the first lawyers to assist the victims. Manjinder commented on her shortlisting:
“I am honoured to be shortlisted for Solicitor of the Year- Private Practice. It is a huge privilege to be recognised and praised by the Law Society for the work I carry out for my clients.”
This is the fourth consecutive year that we have been shortlisted for our excellence in business development. As the UK’s largest provider of legal aid services, our commitment to assisting and bringing our high quality services to the most marginalised in society throughout England and Wales is unwavering. Never content to rest on our laurels, in the last four months alone we have established a new criminal defence department in our Birmingham office and opened a brand new office in the centre of Manchester to further extend our reach and continue in our mission to provide access to justice to all and give people a voice.
We are delighted to be shortlisted for five prestigious awards at this year’s Law Society Excellence Awards and are pleased that the work carried out by our lawyers throughout the year is being deservedly recognised by the Law Society. Huge congratulations to all of the finalists.
Winners are announced at the Law Society’s Excellence Awards ceremony in London on 23 October 2019.
Previous Success at the Law Society Excellence Awards: