Swindon lawyer Rebecca Stevens gained further recognition for her high-profile pro bono work – this time at the prestigious Bristol Law Society annual legal awards.
Rebecca, pictured, a member of Withy King’s family team, landed the Pro Bono Individual of the Year title in front of 370 guests at a dinner and awards ceremony in Bristol last Thursday. 
The award, sponsored by the University of Law, champions the individual who has demonstrated a strong and dedicated commitment to the supply of pro bono work for the benefit of individuals, organisations and the region.
Rebecca gained national recognition earlier this year for her role in helping to support a father with learning difficulties in his battle to prevent his young son from being adopted, without Legal Aid or any other means to pay for his defence.
She said: “I feel honoured to have been recognised in this way, not so much for the role I played in supporting this particular client, but for the opportunity to highlight the devastating impact that Legal Aid cuts are having on vulnerable people who I believe it is our duty to help and protect.”
Earlier this year Rebecca made it into The Lawyer’s Hot 100 for 2015 – the most junior person to appear on the prestigious table – where she rubbed shoulders with the high-profile solicitors, barristers and legal counsel.
The awards were presented by the BBC’s legal correspondent Clive Coleman. The lead sponsor was UWE for the sixth year and the event raised money for St Peter’s Hospice.
The full list of winners is:
Law Student of the Year (sponsored by Wessex Searches)
Sarah Carter (University of Law)
Support Team Member of the Year (sponsored by Damar Training)
Amanda Jennings (Barcon + Kirby)
Junior Lawyer of the Year (sponsored by UWE)
Zina Ruffino (Watkins)
CiLEX of the Year (sponsored by Bristol Law Society Recruitment)
Sarah Goodridge (Withy King)
Pro Bono Individual of the Year (sponsored by The University of Law)
Rebecca Stevens (Withy King)
CSR Firm of the Year (sponsored by DPS Software)
Irwin Mitchell
Barrister of the Year (sponsored by Legal Cost Finance)
Leslie Blohm QC (St Johns Chambers)
Chambers of the Year (sponsored by Hobs Reprographics)
St Johns Chambers
Solicitor of the Year (sponsored by Paragon Costs Solutions)
Daniela Nickols (Mowbray Woodwards)
Law Firm of the Year – up to and including 15 partners (sponsored by Willis)
Barcan + Kirby
Law Firm of the Year – over 15 Partners (sponsored by Lloyds Bank)
Osborne Clarke
President's Outstanding Achievement Award (sponsored by The Law Society)
Andy King (Avon & Bristol Law Centre)
Photos from the awards dinner will appear in next week's Bath Business News e-bulletin
