Scotland’s multi-award winning personal injury and employment law firm Thompsons Solicitors, has been nominated for a staggering four awards at this year’s Scott & Co Legal Awards 2012.
The shortlist, announced today, puts the firm in contention for the top awards covering every practice area it specialises in. The firm is nominated for:
- Litigation Team of the Year
- Employment Team of the Year
- Specialist Lawyer of the Year – Laura Blane (head of the Firm’s asbestos and lung disease department)
- Firm of the Year – a title Thompsons won last year.
The firm has won a total of 5 awards in the last three years, scooping Firm of the Year at 2011’s Legal Awards ceremony and both Employment and Litigation Firm of the Year at the Law Awards of Scotland 2011.
Commenting on the Firm’s four nominations, senior partner, Syd Smith, said:
“These nominations are testament to the hard-work and commitment shown by all of the staff at the firm, who year on year make sure that Thompsons is a leading player in Scottish Law.
“At Thompsons we only represent the victims of injustice, injury and industrial disease. We’ve always stayed true to these values and I’m delighted that year on year this commitment is recognised in our continued short-listing and success in Scotland’s major legal awards.
“We’ll see what happens on the night but hopefully it can be another successful year for the Firm at Scotland’s legal awards ceremonies.”
Speaking of the firm’s Litigation Team of the Year and Firm of the Year award nominations, partner and personal injury expert, Patrick McGuire, said that Thompsons offers something completely different to clients compared to other firms:
“What Thompsons Solicitors offers its clients is quite unique.
“We have award-winning expertise in personal injury and everyone has access to that expertise because we’re no win no fee. Add to that that we do everything to get the results you need, including campaigning for legislative change and improvements to health and safety, and you have a law firm that truly is on your side.
“Accidents can have a huge impact on people’s lives; they might result in loss of income, psychological effects and put a huge strain on the family. At Thompsons we are focused on getting the maximum possible compensation in the shortest possible time to help the victims and their families get their lives back on track.
“These nominations are thanks to our clients’ continued trust in our expertise and services. We will never lose sight of that and continue to do the best we can to deliver the result they seek.”
Laura Blane, who is nominated for Specialist Lawyer of the Year, welcomed the nomination as recognition of the Firm’s key role in this year’s major gains in improving the rights of asbestos sufferers:
“This year has been a very important one for asbestos sufferers and I am delighted to have been involved in securing those rights.
“The Supreme Court judgement on pleural plaques was a landmark moment for the rights of asbestos sufferers who have waited so long for justice. Its effects will not only help asbestos sufferers but the decision on the cross appeal has opened up legal avenues to challenge legislation never before open to campaign groups in Scotland.
“Thompsons, along with Clydeside Action on Asbestos and Clydebank Asbestos Group, have led the fight for justice for the victims of asbestos.
“Asbestos is the darkest legacy of Scotland’s industrial heritage. I and my team will keep on fighting to ensure that those who suffer its effects get the justice and compensation they deserve.”
The head of the Firm’s Employment Rights Unit, Rory McPherson, welcomed the nomination for Employment Team of the Year and said it was now more important than ever that people protected their rights at work:
“It’s good news that the team’s fantastic work in protecting people’s rights at work has been recognised with this nomination.
“Defending your employment rights is always important, but with a UK Government intent on watering down people’s rights at work and cutting jobs it is now more important than ever.
“Strong employment rights are a sign of a just society and must never be compromised for the sake of profit.
“At Thompsons we are focused on making sure that workers’ rights are respected in a whole range of circumstance including redundancy, equal pay or unfair dismissal.”
