Can a solicitor be a hero?

Or should the word hero be reserved for the military, or nurses, or goal-scoring footballers? Or even, if you eat your take-away lunch from Subway, a large sandwich? 

The word hero is used freely these days across the media and even in advertising, but, at the core, the definition of a hero is a person admired for outstanding achievement.

And it helps if that achievement is to benefit others and is undertaken with some sacrifice of their own as to time and effort well beyond the normal. On that basis, I believe there may be quite a number of solicitors out there who could be called a Legal Hero.

Indeed, I suspect we all know inspirational solicitors who go well beyond their comfort zones to improve the lives of others, be it to help individuals or groups or even whole communities.

So do we need to celebrate such people? Of course we do! With politicians and the press regularly taking cheap pot-shots at the profession, it is time to highlight the immense work that solicitors do to help both individuals and society as a whole.

As well as recognising and congratulating incredible solicitors, it would be fantastic to have some excellent stories about their work to counteract the negativity out there.

Which is why the Law Society is replacing its Excellence Awards with a brand-new Legal Hero campaign to find and celebrate those solicitors who fit the definition of Legal Hero.

There is just one problem. Those who fit the bill are often shy about their work and successes. Many such people are, in a phrase, ‘unsung’.

Which is why we need you, dear reader, to seek out and nominate them. It is easily done. Anyone can put a nomination in. Although, as this is a new initiative, we are hoping that fellow solicitors, local law societies, solicitor groups and networks will put their heads together and lead the charge by putting up those who deserve to be nominated.

The crucial aspect is not just the hard work and contribution that the solicitor might have put in, but being able to demonstrate the real-life effect of their work and how it has benefited the lives of those they have helped. The work might have helped a single person, or a vulnerable group or a whole community or, indeed, society at large. It is being able to show how the work has benefited others that is the crucial element.

We are looking for applications from across all the legal segments and areas of England and Wales. First thoughts might turn to solicitors who help disadvantaged groups on a pro bono basis, but the award is just as relevant to those who do incredible things as part of their paid work. One of the things we are keen to draw out is the stories of those who work in-house or for City firms who are just as capable of using their skills to improve the lives of others.

To keep the award current and relevant, we are looking for the activities to justify the award to have taken place in the last couple of years.

All those nominated will be recognised for their work, but a panel of judges will first short-list and then choose a small handful of the really best examples to be honoured by the Law Society’s president at Chancery Lane, and be recognised as the Society’s Legal Heroes for the year.

I am hoping we will receive many applications and will find some excellent stories to celebrate, which will in turn help in the important task of maintaining pride in the profession.

To nominate someone, go to the Law Society website. If you are a member of a local law society, or a solicitors group or community of any nature, do start a discussion as to who could be put forward. 

Peter Watson-Lee is Law Society council member for Dorset and chair of the Law Society’s membership and communications committee