Four solicitors at Thompsons have been nominated for national industry awards recognising their excellence within the legal sector.

Amanda Jones, David Gauler and Lisa Gunner are all finalists in the 13th Personal Injury Awards, while Sabeena Pirooz has been shortlisted for ‘Champion of the Year’ in the Inspirational Women in Law Awards.

Llanelli-based partner, Amanda Jones, is a finalist in the hotly contested ‘Claimant Lawyer of the Year’ award. Amanda heads up the all-female asbestos team in Wales and the South West. She is known for her technical brilliance, expert regional knowledge, often using past experience to win cases thought unwinnable by other firms, and offers a first-class standard of client care. Amanda is also passionate about supporting the next generation of lawyers and is a training principal and mentor on Thompsons’ trainee programme.

Birmingham-based serious injury solicitor, David Gauler, hopes his ground-breaking case against the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) will win him the title of ‘Outstanding Case of the Year’ after he succeeded in the Supreme Court for a 73-year-old man who suffered spinal cord injuries when he was chased down on foot by a 4x4 driver. An appeal by the MIB was rejected by the Supreme Court in a landmark ruling that will now ensure road accident victims injured on private land are compensated. David spends a lot of time liaising with and organising experts to ensure his clients’, often complex, needs are met.

Cardiff and Bristol-based Lisa Gunner is a finalist for ‘Catastrophic Injury Lawyer of the Year’. Lisa leads the catastrophic injuries team at Thompsons in Wales and the South West and, in the last year alone, has secured more than £10 million for claimants to help them rebuild their lives. As well as managing her own case load of claims involving traumatic injury, amputations and spinal cord injury, she also oversees and trains members of the team and is an inspirational mentor. Lisa is passionate about enabling her clients to live the best life possible after their life-changing injuries.

Going above and beyond outside of work sees Sabeena Pirooz, a clinical negligence solicitor who is based in Thompsons’ Bristol office, shortlisted for ‘Champion of the Year’ in the Inspirational Women in Law Awards. Sabeena is being recognised for her work as a director of The Sky Project, a charity which raises awareness on issues of forced marriage and honour-based abuse. Sabeena has delivered training to a range of professionals in the legal, community and medical professions, as well as to students and young lawyers, with many inspired by her journey as a BAME, female solicitor.

Clare Mellor, chief executive at Thompsons, said: “We pride ourselves on putting our all into every single one of our cases and it’s great to see our commitment and excellence recognised by respected bodies in the legal sector. 

“I’m delighted that the unstinting passion and dedication these colleagues commit in both their professional lives and outside of work to standing up for the injured and mistreated is being recognised.”

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