City giant Allen & Overy is leading the way in the shortlists for the Law Society's inaugural Excellence Awards.


The magic circle firm has won three nominations - in the quality of life, equality and diversity, and social responsibility categories.



Manchester firm Pannone received two nominations (practice standards and quality of life), as did regional heavyweight Shoosmiths (quality of life, and equality and diversity).



The Gazette-sponsored award for Solicitor of the Year will be between Jeremy Ferguson of Devon firm Chanter Ferguson, solicitor QC June Venters, and Phil Shiner of Birmingham firm Public Interest Lawyers.



Shortlisted for New Solicitor of the Year are Andrew Campbell of south-west firm Withy King, Daniel Carey of Peace Brigades International, and Welsh solicitor Meinir Evans of Merlin Phillips incorporating KTP.



The awards will be handed out on 25 October. Law Society President Andrew Holroyd said: 'There's no better way to promote solicitors than to celebrate the excellence and innovation that I see right across the profession. The 150 entries for the Society's first Excellence Awards were of an extremely high standard.'



The other shortlists in full are:

l The Lexcel Award for Excellence in Practice Standards (sponsored

by Fraser & Fraser): Bott & Co, Durham County Council legal department, Foot Anstey, Pannone, and Thring Townsend Lee & Pembertons.

l The Innovation in Business Award (sponsored by Jordans): Awdry Bailey & Douglas, Birmingham City Council Legal Services, First Law Limited, Leeds Legal, Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, and Scott-Moncrieff Harbour & Sinclair.

l The Quality of Life Award (sponsored by Towry Law): Allen & Overy, Keoghs, Nicholas Moore, Pannone, and Shoosmiths.

l The Excellence in Equality and Diversity Award: Allen & Overy, Bevan Brittan, CPS West Yorkshire, Shoosmiths, and Thaliwal Bridge.

l The Excellence in Social Responsibility Award: Allen & Overy, DLA Piper, Fisher Jones Greenwood, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and Linklaters.



LINK: www.awards.lawsociety.org.uk.