Leading City solicitors and government lawyers led the way for the profession in the New Year's Honours list.

Janet Gaymer, senior partner of City firm Simmons & Simmons, received a CBE for her role as chairwoman of the employment tribunal system task force, while Allen & Overy partner David Mackie, one of the few solicitor QCs, was awarded a CBE for his pro bono work.

He said: 'Lawyers do pro bono work automatically and out of a sense of duty.

They do not expect a reward for it - otherwise it would not be pro bono.

I was therefore extremely surprised and very pleased to receive the award.'

Treasury Solicitor Juliet Wheldon, a barrister and head of the Government Legal Service, becomes a Dame, while former counsel general of the Welsh Assembly, Winston Roddick QC, was named a Companion of the Order of Bath.

Barrister Michael Wood, legal adviser to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, was knighted.

OBEs were awarded to three Crown Prosecution Service solicitors: Michael Crosta, former principal Crown prosecutor and acting chief Crown prosecutor for Lincolnshire; Brian Gunn, formerly head of Nottinghamshire's trials unit; and Anna Zimand, head of the trials unit in Derby.

Mr Gunn said: 'This year's honours list is an important recognition of the work lawyers are performing in the CPS.'

Peter Wiseman, partner at Rutherfords in Tamworth and former joint honorary secretary of Birmingham Law Society, was awarded an OBE for services to publicly funded advice services in the West Midlands.

Solicitor John Grant Jones, chairman of the Association of Justices Chief Executives, received a OBE.

Knighthoods were also awarded to: barrister Gavyn Arthur, the immediate past Lord Mayor of London; Prudential chairman David Clementi, currently conducting a comprehensive review of the legal profession; European Court of Justice judge David Edward; and Cambridge law professors Bob Hepple QC and Alan Dashwood.

Rachel Rothwell