Banging the gong

It would seem that the best way for your firm to win a prize at Birmingham Law Society's annual awards bash is to have your senior partner wearing the presidential gong.

The ceremony earlier this month marked only the second time the awards have been handed out.

Winner of the small firm of the year award (20 partners and fewer) last year was Gateley Wareing, whose senior partner, Michael Ward, also happened to be Birmingham Law Society president.

Winner this year of the same award was Anthony Collins & Co, whose senior partner, Anthony Collins, is - you guessed it - Mr Ward's successor.

Well-known divorce lawyer Diane Benussi, senior partner of Benussi & Co, is vice-president of the society this year and will presumably ascend to the summit just in time for her firm to compete in next year's awards.

A senior source at the Birmingham Law Society confirmed that the process behind the awards was fully independent and transparent, involving nominations and a round of voting by the entire local profession.

Will next year be third time lucky for the competition?