Member Article

David Gray Solicitor shortlisted for ‘Legal Aid Oscar’

Mike Bishop, partner at leading North East law firm David Gray Solicitors LLP, has been shortlisted for the ‘Mental Health Lawyer of the Year’ award at the 10thanniversary Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2012.

The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (LALY), organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), celebrates the excellence of legal work in the publically funded sector and recognises legal professionals and organisations who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their clients and the sector.

Mike Bishop, Solicitor and Head of the Mental Health Department at David Gray Solicitors LLP, is one of three finalists shortlisted in the ‘Mental Health Legal Aid Lawyer’ award category, sponsored by The Law Society.

Also known as the ‘Legal Aid Oscars’, 11 LALY judges select finalists in nine award categories which include criminal defence lawyer, family legal aid lawyer and immigration lawyer. Judges read over 1,000 pages of nominations which include supporting testimonials from clients, medical and other expert, judges and campaigners.

Elspeth Thomson, Managing Partner at David Gray LLP, comments: “We are delighted that Mike’s ongoing contribution and commitment to mental health has been recognised by the judges. I believe that his nomination reflects his ability as one of the leading mental health solicitors in the North East and his willingness to go the extra mile for each and every client.”

“As well as heading up our mental health department, he still finds time to be a very active partner in the firm. He is a credit to our profession”, she adds.

Mike, who qualified as a solicitor in 1989, has practised mental health throughout his career, focusing particularly on working with patients detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act 1983. Mike represents patients at mental health review tribunal hearings, manager review hearings and at case reviews.

On his nomination, Mike Bishop adds: “I am delighted to have been shortlisted for this award. These awards are a fantastic way of recognising all the hard work that is done by Legal Aid Lawyers to ensure clients receive the representation they deserve. I wasn’t expecting to be shortlisted but I’m thrilled to have been selected alongside some of the UK’s most respected and leading lawyers. “

Mike’s nomination for this prestigious award was supported by a number of professionals in the Mental Health service, including Andrew Hope, of the Northumberland Tyne and Wear Foundation National Health Trust. Andrew explains: “Mike’s reputation for representing and upholding the rights of detained patients in the region is well known in fact I would go as far to say legendary. He is a great man that cares passionately for all people. He does not court awards or recognition and knows that a man is measured not by his wealth but his deeds. Nothing it appears has ever been a problem to Mike whether it was working late into the night or giving up a weekend to visit a patient detained in hospital.”

The winners will be announced and presented with their awards at a ceremony in central London on 12 June 2012.

The LALYs, which were launched in 2003, are the only awards aimed solely at those doing legal aid work. They are organised by the Legal Aid Practitioners Group on a not-for-profit basis.

For further information on the awards visit: www.lapg.co.uk/laly2012

For further information on David Gray Solicitors LLP visit: www.davidgray.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Georgia Linscott .