Slater and Gordon Lawyers is celebrating after the firm scooped two gongs at the prestigious Manchester Legal Awards.
Rising star, Zak Golombeck, took home the Solicitor of the Year award and the Wills, Tax, Trust and Probate team were handed the Private Client – Team of the Year award.
For Manchester-based medical negligence and human rights solicitor Zak, it was the perfect way to end twelve months that have seen him become the youngest coroner in the country and win a landmark case that will force Parliament to make a decision on changing the law.
“I feel honoured to have won,” he said. “The other solicitors shortlisted have all achieved so much themselves, and I never thought it was going to happen.
I am proud of everything I have achieved in this past year and this definitely is the icing on the cake.”
Zak worked on a variety of high profile cases in the last year, including that of Jakki Smith’s where he argued that current legislation, which means bereavement damages are only paid to spouses and civil partners, was in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights.
He won the case in the Court of Appeal.
“My passion for my clients and their individual causes is the driving force for me to work so tirelessly. I love what I do and want the best for my clients. I probably work far more than my family want me to, although I know that they also will be proud of my achievements and that I am fighting for justice.”
The firm’s Wills, Tax, Trust and Probate team were equally as thrilled with their award.
Julie Morris, head of core services, general law said it was testament to the dedication of the department: “All of the team work incredibly hard for their clients and it’s fantastic that their efforts have been recognised.”
