The Solicitors Journal Awards 2016: The shortlist revealed

The shortlist for the inaugural Solicitors Journal Awards: Recognising brilliance in a changing legal world has been revealed.

Solicitors Journal received an unprecedented number of hugely impressive submissions from a host of big name law firms, chambers, in-house teams, and ABSs, making the job of selecting shortlists a difficult task, even for our erudite independent judging panel.

The SJ team would like to thank our incredible judges, who have taken the time to review almost as many nominations as Solicitors Journal is years old.

The most shortlisted firm is Bindmans, being included in three award categories, while White & Case, Mishcon de Reya, Radcliffe Chambers, Oldham Council, and Wedlake Bell are all up for two legal awards each.

Other big name firms up for legal gongs include Allen & Overy, Irwin Mitchell, DLA Piper, and Hogan Lovells.

Reacting to their double nomination, Rebecca Boyle, the group lawyer of legal and democratic services at Oldham Council, commented: 'We are passionate about the regeneration schemes in Oldham and privileged to be able to play an integral part in transforming our borough.

'We are honoured and delighted to be shortlisted in the categories of Property Team of the Year and Commercial Team of the Year'.

Meanwhile, asb law's managing partner, Andrew Clinton, said: 'Over the past few years, we have been innovating to truly address the misalignment that exists between the interests of clients and those of the law firm.

'It is fantastic to have been recognised as a pioneer within the legal industry and for our entrepreneurial approach to the delivery of legal services. We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the prestigious title of Regional Team of the Year at the inaugural Solicitors Journal Awards.'

Responding to the news that Cecily White is in the running for SJ's Rising Star award, Catherine Calder, solicitor and director of client care at Sergeants' Inn Chambers, said: 'We are so pleased and proud that Cecily has been recognised in these illustrious inaugural awards from the Solicitors Journal, a publication which is obviously so key to our client-base.'

The Solicitors Journal Awards will be hosted by the BBC's Andrew Marr as SJ also celebrates 160 years of legal publishing with a glittering black-tie gala in the heart of legal London.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on 25 May at the stylish Grand Connaught Rooms.

Winning one of the first SJ awards means industry accolades, client recognition, praise from our distinguished judging panel, and recognition from the world's longest-running legal publication.

The Solicitors Journal Awards will be the highlight of the legal calendar and we look forward to welcoming all of those shortlisted, along with their colleagues, family, and friends.

Don't miss out on a chance to attend the biggest new event in the legal industry: book now to secure the best positioned table on the night.

The very best of luck to all of those shortlisted.

Commercial Team of the Year Award

Eaton Smith

Oldham Council

White & Case

Employment Team of the Year Award

Bindmans

Chadwick Lawrence

Lewis Silkin

Unison Legal

White & Case

Family Team of the Year Award

Dawson Cornwell

Family Law in Partnership

Irwin Mitchell

KGW Family Law

Natalie Gamble Associates

Stephensons Solicitors

Turpin & Miller

Legal Aid Team of the Year Award

Bindmans

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Coram Children's Legal Centre

South West London Law Centres

The Howard League for Penal Reform

Legal Education Provider of the Year Award

CILEx Law School

Avon & Bristol Law Centre's Legal Advocacy Support Project

Manchester Law School at Manchester Metropolitan University

Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University

Northumbria Law School

The University of Law/Aspiring Solicitors

Litigation Team of the Year Award

Blake Morgan

Boodle Hatfield

Mishcon de Reya

Radcliffe Chambers

Stevens & Bolton

Wedlake Bell

Personal Injury Team of the Year Award

Aspire Law

Bindmans

Hill Dickinson

Leigh Day

Horwich Cohen Coghlan

Private Client Team of the Year Award

Lyons Davidson

Payne Hicks Beach

Radcliffe Chambers

Mishcon de Reya

Wedlake Bell

Pro Bono Team of the Year Award

Allen & Overy

DLA Piper

Hogan Lovells

Huddersfield Law Society, Uganda Twinning Project

Kingsley Napley

Property Team of the Year Award

Bircham Dyson Bell

Nabarro

Oldham Council

Pemberton Greenish

Regional Team of the Year Award

asb law

Farnfields

Forbes Solicitors

Larcomes

Muckle

Rising Star Award

Cecily White, Sergeants' Inn Chambers

Celina McGregor, Herbert Smith Freehills

Katie Brown, TV Edwards

Priya Tromans, Harrison Clark Rickerbys