The inaugural Bar Council Employed Bar Awards ceremony on 30 June saw the award for ‘Outstanding achievement by a public service barrister’ go to GLD’s David Browitt (DfT Legal Advisers), and the first ever ‘Young employed barrister of the year’ confirmed as GLD’s Matthew Johnston (Home Office Legal Advisers).
The ‘Young employed barrister of the year’ award is for a barrister with under 7 years’ practice. The judges praised Matthew’s clarity, calmness, objectivity and expertise in his work, and his understanding of ministerial priorities.
The award for ‘Outstanding achievement by a public service barrister’ was open to the CPS, GLD, local government and public service defenders. The judges noted David’s clear leadership, energy and guidance in his work, his team working and his fine legal judgment.
Jonathan Jones said:
As one of the judges of the first ever Employed Bar Awards I naturally approached my role with complete impartiality. Nonetheless I was very pleased to see that a number of GLD lawyers had been nominated and shortlisted (I played no part in the shortlisting). And I am delighted that all the judges agreed on Matthew and David as the winners in their categories. The work that we do in GLD is unlike the work of any other members of the employed Bar, and it is fantastic that the achievements and dedication of our people are now being celebrated by the wider profession.
The full list of those shortlisted (which also included GLD lawyers Jamie Johnston and Tom Reveley, both of DfE Legal Advisers) and all category winners can be found on the Bar Council website.