Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards 2010: Call for nominations

The Legal Aid Practitioners Group is seeking nominations for this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards (LALYs) - the only awards organised by and for the grassroots profession.

The judges, chaired by Cherie Booth QC, will be making 10 awards this year, to recognise excellence among the lawyers who act for some of the poorest and most socially disadvantaged people in society.

The closing date for nominations is Monday 12 April and the presentation ceremony will be on Wednesday 26 May in London. Forms can be downloaded by clicking here.

The awards are non-profit-making and the Law Society is acting as principal sponsor for the second year running.

The award categories are:

• Outstanding achievement (sponsored by Manches)
• Criminal defence lawyer (sponsored by Criminal Law Solicitors Association)
• Family legal aid lawyer (sponsored by Resolution)
• Legal aid firm/Not-for-profit agency (sponsored by Matrix)
• Legal aid barrister (sponsored by Bar Council)
• Mental health lawyer (sponsored by NatWest)
• Immigration lawyer (sponsored by Allen & Overy)
• Social and welfare lawyer (sponsored by Trimega Labs)
• Young legal aid solicitor (sponsored by Legal Services Commission)
• Young legal aid barrister (sponsored by Irwin Mitchell)