Association of Women Solicitors Announce Award Winner: June Venters - Best Woman Solicitor Managing a Legal Aid Practice

The Association of Women Solicitors (AWS) announces today the winners of its inaugural awards to celebrate women solicitors in business. The awards are one of many initiatives by Dr Clare McConnell, Chairwoman of the AWS, to recognise and promote business skills amongst female solicitors.

The awards recognise the industry's role models of today and tomorrow. They reward women solicitors for best practice and good management skills of business and people. Open to all women of all ages and seniority who have an influential role in their business the winners are:

1. Best Woman Solicitor Managing a Large Practice: Susan Bright, Head of Competition, Lovells;
2. Best Woman Solicitor Managing a Small Practice: Sarah Young, Managing Partner, Ridley and Hall Solicitors, Huddersfield;
3. Best Woman Solicitor Managing a Legal Aid Practice: June Venters, QC, Senior Partner, Venter Solicitors;
4. Best Woman Solicitor Managing an In-House Team: Clare Jones, Head of European Fixed Income and Investment Banking Legal, Nomura International plc; and
5. Best Woman Solicitor Retaining and Developing Legal Talent: Rita Dev, Global Head of Training & Know-How, Allen & Overy LLP.

Clare McConnell, Chairwoman of the AWS said, ''There has been considerable interest in the awards. This reflects the fact that there are many excellent women solicitors who are successful business women managing legal practices and retaining and developing legal talent. Judging was difficult as all the nominees were high achievers with inspiring stories to tell. I hope that all the winners will become positive role models and will encourage and motivate other women solicitors to succeed in securing positions of responsibility within the profession.''

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Notes to editors
For further information, please contact: Clare McConnell, tel: 07833 0935 68 or 020 7809 2356, Email: clare.mcconnell@shlegal.com
About the AWS Awards categories

The AWS Awards recognise and reward outstanding women solicitors in the legal profession.

Nominations opened on 15 May 2009 and closed on 29 July 2009.

2009 is the inaugural year of the AWS Awards.

Each of the category winners will form the shortlist for the AWS Legal Business Woman of the Year Award, to be presented at The Law Society's Legal Excellence Awards on 22 October 2009.

About the Association of Women Solicitors
The Association of Women Solicitors was established in 1923, a year after the first woman was admitted to the Solicitors' Roll. It is a recognised group of The Law Society. It has a current membership of 18,005.

It's aim is to be an essential national network promoting the potential and success of every woman solicitor at each stage of her career. It offers support and advice and represents the diverse interests of all women solicitors.

It provides a range of educational and pastoral care services as well as an excellent opportunity for women to network with others both within and outside the profession.

Read the article in the Law Society Gazette .