THE accolade of Worcestershire's first ever "solicitor of the year" has gone to Lesley Bartlett, head of the family law team at HallmarkHulme, Worcester's oldest law firm, where she is also a partner. Her success was announced at Worcestershire Law Society’s inaugural president’s awards, held at the Chateau Impney Hotel, Droitwich and attended by the cream of the county’s legal industry.

Ms Bartlett, who qualified as a solicitor in 1978, was described as "inspirational" by the judging panel. She trained in Bournemouth and relocated to Worcester in 1984, before joining HallmarkHulme in Sansome Place in 1989, becoming a partner in 2000.

Ms Bartlett said: "I am delighted to have received such a compliment from my peers. The award is also recognition of the hard work & support given to me by the team at HallmarkHulme.”

More than 150 guests attended the black-tie dinner where solicitors from law firms including Hallmark Hulme, Harrison Clark Rickerbys and mfg Solicitors, were recognised for their excellence. The gala event, hosted by the society’s president Iain Morrison and BBC news correspondent Phil Mackie, saw lawyers and legal practices collecting awards from across six categories, nearly all going to women.

Priya Tromans, from Harrison Clark Rickerbys, held off tough competition to scoop the trainee solicitor of the year award with judges commenting on her "talent, energy and enthusiasm". In the closely-fought young solicitor of the year category, judges could not separate the top two contenders with the award shared by mfg Solicitors’ Alexandra Phillips and Kirsty Gilmour from Harrison Clark Rickerbys. Both were described as "bright and ambitious".

In the professional discipline category, which focussed on Worcestershire's stand-out family law team, nationally-recognised sole-practitioner Penny Raby & Co took the top honour with Harrison Clark Rickerbys claiming a hat-trick by scooping the innovation award for best website.

The lifetime achievement award, which recognises a significant contribution to the county’s legal profession, was presented to Bill Stallard. Mr Stallard built a 52-year career in the legal industry before retiring and was senior partner at John Stallard & Co, which merged with March & Edwards in 2011.

Iain Morrison, President of Worcestershire Law Society presiden Iain Morrison said: "Our first ever awards have been a tremendous success and the event showcased the passion, skill and dedication we have across the legal profession here in Worcestershire. The judges were hugely impressed by all of our finalists, from those just starting out in their careers to experienced partners and teams. The standard was extremely high across the board. On behalf of everyone at the Worcestershire Law Society, I’d like to again congratulate all of our winners. It is more than just an award they have won. It is recognition of their quality, excellence and providing a top class service to clients.”

Mr Morrison added that the president’s awards will become an annual event on the Worcestershire legal calendar.