JUST under 300 guests attended the Hampshire Law Society annual dinner and awards ceremony at St Mary’s Stadium.

Top table guests of the president Russell Evans included guest speaker the scientist and broadcaster Jim Al-Khalili, The Hon Mary Montagu-Scott, High Sheriff of Hampshire, Olivia Pinkney, Chief Constable Hampshire Constabulary, and officers from local professional institutions and neighbouring law societies.

Guests gathered for drinks in the Mike Channon suite whilst some enjoyed a tour of the stadium seeing the iconic areas associated with premier league football.

Irwin Mitchell took Hampshire Incorporated Law Society’s ‘Large Law Firm of the Year’ award with Dutton Gregory as runners up.

In addition, one of Dutton Gregory’s clinical negligence team, Victoria Whelan, was winner of Junior Solicitor of the Year.

Victoria said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this award after being runner up last year and to be recognised both for my contribution and that of Dutton Gregory.”

The best small firm was Churchers which traces its roots back 130 years and supports a number of charities making a positive impact on the local community.

Managing partner Ian Robinson said “I am very proud and delighted to have accepted the award on behalf of the staff at Churchers. It is recognition of the hard work, dedication and commitment that everyone at the firm has contributed to our success over the past 12 months”

Solicitor of the year was scooped by Julian Quartermain of Larcomes, bringing success to Larcomes for the second year running.

Julian joined Larcomes in 1984 and is in the private client team.

Wilkins Kennedy won Solicitors Accountancy firm of the year and Barclays triumphed in the banking category.

Carnival UK were the worthy winners of the new “Hampshire business of the Year” award.

All the winners were presented with their awards by Jim Al-Khalili.

Jim is a scientist, author and broadcaster who appears regularly on TV and radio. He has presented programmes on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 including Tomorrow’s World, The Life Scientific, The Science of Dr Who, The Riddle of Einstein’s Brain, The Secret Life of Chaos, Genius of Britain, and Bang Goes the Theory.

He spoke about his varied career in science and broadcasting and fielded questions afterwards on topics ranging from gravity to dark matter.

The evening raised £2,200 for Sightsavers, an international charitable organisation that works with partners in developing countries to treat and prevent avoidable blindness.

Russell Evans, President of Hampshire Law Society, said: “I am delighted by the warmth and generosity of the legal profession, to have helped raise awareness of preventable blindness and to contribute to making a difference to peoples’ lives.”

Sponsors for the event were Quantuma, Independent Financial Solutions, Brighter Law Solutions and College Chambers.