Resolution Awards 2024 – Your champions of family justice

Winners were announced at our gala awards night on Thursday 19 September at Church House, Westminster.

John Cornwell Award

Resolution’s award for outstanding achievement, the John Cornwell Award was presented, posthumously, to Maggie Rae. The award celebrates her work as a leading family lawyer and how she lived and worked by her values – values that underpin Resolution’s Code of Practice.

Access to Justice Champion

New for this year, the Access to Justice Champion, supported by the Access to Justice Foundation, was awarded to Elspeth Thomson of David Gray Solicitors. Elspeth has given up countless hours, days, weeks and months to fighting for those who need the most support, whether it’s pushing for improvements to legal aid processes or giving evidence in Parliament on Domestic Abuse legislation.

Children’s Champion

The Children’s Champion – sponsored by Harcourt Chambers – Family Law – awarded to those members who champion children’s voices and advocate a child-centred approach to their work, was awarded to Maud Davis of Bindmans. The judges commended this winner for their relentless commitment for speaking out for children, putting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at the heart of their work.

Community Champion

Our Community Champion – sponsored by AlphaBiolabs – recognises members who have used their professional expertise to make a positive difference in their local community, by putting our Code into practice. This award went to Louisa Whitney of LKW Family Mediation. Louisa has overcome significant personal hurdles, and used her own experiences to make the family justice sector a better place for future generations.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion

The EDI Champion recognises an individual or group driving positive change in equality, diversity and inclusion, was awarded to Yanoulla Kakoulli of Judge & Priestley. Yanoulla is actively involved in raising the bar of EDI. Not only is she committed to EDI through her day job but the incredible volume of voluntary work outside of family justice demonstrates a passion to ensure there is access to justice and inclusion for all.

Innovation Champion

The Innovation Champion – sponsored by Cansford Laboratories – which recognises members who have taken bold, progressive approaches to benefit clients, their firm or the wider family justice community, went to Jenny Beck KC and Family Law Advice for the Neurodivergent Community (FLANC). Jenny and FLANC have identified a clear problem and come up with a solution, taking a different approach. This approach was described by the President of the family division as “one of those good ideas that makes you wonder how it hasn’t been thought of before.

Regional Champion

The Regional Champion, which recognises members or groups who go above and beyond to foster a strong regional network with our Code of Practice at its centre, was won by Oluwapelumi Amanda Adeola of BHP Law, representing Resolution’s Tees Valley Region. The judges commented on how Oluwapelumi has completely revived a family law community that was struggling. Since she got involved, Resolution membership has boomed, placing a particular focus on an area members often wouldn’t have naturally flocked to.

Wellbeing Champion

This year’s Wellbeing Champion – sponsored by Coram Chambers – which recognises members who have championed a healthy workplace, prioritising the wellbeing of colleagues, employees and the wider family justice community, was awarded to Marc Etherington of Rayden Solicitors. The judges praised Marc for bringing his own experiences to the fore with a refreshing honesty rarely seen when it comes to wellbeing, saying; “everything this winner does is out of the goodness of their heart”.

Working in Collaboration Award

The Working in Collaboration Award, which recognises members who have made a difference to families by working with other professionals, sharing expertise to help clients achieve the best solutions, was won by Rhiannon Ford of Rhiannon Ford Divorce Consultancy. The judges said this winner “epitomises Resolution’s Code of Practice”. Rhiannon regularly partners with a range of professionals, including lawyers, therapists, mediators and financial advisors, to provide a holistic support system for her clients.

Rising Star Award

The Rising Star Award – sponsored by William James Recruitment –  which recognises members within the first ten years of their family justice career who have demonstrated potential as a future leader in family justice, was won by Natasha Khalique of Exchange Chambers. Natasha embodies Resolution’s Code of Practice. She acts as a role model for law students, and judges commended her honesty and openness in addressing the challenges she faced to overcome all sorts of adversity.

As well as the award recipient, the judges chose to pick out one nominee as “Highly Commended”. That honour was awarded to Victoria Maxwell from Edward Cooke Family Law.