Schillings take first place at the Lawyer Awards 2009
Once again Schillings has reason to celebrate in the successes of their legal team as one of its lawyers, Matthew Himsworth, wins first place in the Assistant Solicitor of the Year category at last week’s Lawyer Awards ceremony.
Matthew Himsworth is an associate at Schillings and specialises in reputation protection on behalf of corporations, brands and public figures. He has developed his career over the last seven years, having trained with Schillings, and has built a strong profile both within the firm and externally within the legal profession and with clients.
The award is presented to the solicitor who has demonstrated entrepreneurship, business building skills and technical legal skills. Matthew’s commitment to both the firm and its clients extends beyond his core role and is evident in the numerous projects he has initiated. In particular he developed the firm’s trainee coaching programme with the objective to provide full training in the practical legal tools as well as promoting thought-leadership on relevant topics. This training programme helps prepare trainees so that when they qualify they can build upon their legal technical know-how by enrolling in the Schillings Academy.
Matthew's highest profile success was for the stock broking firm, Collins Stewart in its well documented libel action against the Financial Times. This was the largest claim ever brought and Matthew helped achieve a ground-breaking apology on the front page of the Companies and Markets section and substantial damages
Speaking after the awards, Matthew Himsworth said, “It was a great surprise and a huge honour to win the award. It's a tremendous accolade to be recognised by your own profession."
Matthew has received praise from many of his clients, mainly from the firm’s sports law practice, which he has been instrumental in developing. Clients say Himsworth is ‘personable whilst providing clear and sensible advice’ and with that sentiment they add ‘he offers excellent strategic recommendations’. One major sporting body went onto say, ‘we have found Matt to be extremely professional and we are delighted to be associated with him’
This award follows a number of recent achievements at various industry awards. Schillings won first place in the Partner of the Year category in 2008 and has twice been winners of the Niche Firm of the Year (2002 and 2003) at the Lawyer Awards. In addition, the firm won the Young Solicitor of the Year at the British Legal Awards 2008.
