Wragges sweeps board at Birmingham awards bash

Wragge & Co dominated the inaugural Birmingham Law Society awards, carrying off three prizes.It was named law firm of the year in the 20-plus partners category, senior partner John Crabtree was voted solicitor of the year, while pro bono co-ordinator Steve Butts carried off the pro bono award.The awards also gave the local profession the chance to present former Edge Ellison partner Digby Jones - now director-general of the Confederation of British Industry - with a lifetime achievement prize.Birmingham Law Society president Michael Ward said the award was fully deserved.

'He has been a tremendous ambassador for Birmingham and has also done a huge amount to promote the quality of the legal services available in the city,' he said.

'He has packed a lot into his career, and it is a fitting tribute to his significant efforts on behalf of the local legal community.'Gateley Wareing, the firm at which Mr Ward is senior partner, was named law firm of the year in the fewer than 20 partners category.The 16-partner commercial firm announced major expansion earlier this year by buying Birmingham's former Ear and Throat Hospital for 12 million, which will give it twice the space it now occupies.Other awards went to: Eileen Schofield of Irwin Mitchell (trainee of the year); Karen Bailey of Bailey Wright & Co (sole practitioner of the year); Alex Bishop of DLA (assistant solicitor of the year); and Stephanie Browne of 5 Fountain Court (barrister of the year).