A Dorset law firm is celebrating a national triumph after one of its partners was named ‘Defendant Lawyer of the Year’.

Emma Menzies, Head of the Personal Injury department at Dutton Gregory, received the prestigious title at the Personal Injury Awards 2019.

She was praised as a “model professional” who was “greatly admired by colleagues and opponents alike.”

Announcing the result, deciding judge Matthew Maxwell Scott, of ACSO, described the brain and spinal specialist as a “very deserved winner.”

A delighted Emma said: “I am so pleased for my team and the firm that I won this national award and that independent adjudicators voted me the number one defendant personal injury lawyer in the country.”

This year’s Personal Injury Awards – the 12^th to be organised – were staged by Claims Media and held at the Hilton Hotel in Deansgate, Manchester.

Almost 20 professionals, firms and providers picked up 21 awards during the ceremony which celebrated the successes of the past 12 months and the sector’s dedication to supporting the injured and vulnerable.

Emma joined Dutton Gregory in 2000 and has more than 20 years’ experience of dealing with high value, serious and complex cases.

Among her many successes, she defended a ‘Hot Tub Lung’ case – one of only a handful of litigated cases in England and Wales – and successfully persuaded the claimant to discontinue four days before the trial, with costs payable to the defendant.

Judges of the Defendant Lawyer of the Year category based their choice of winner on six key requirements:

• Taking on challenging cases or issues on behalf of defendants,
• Achieving impressive successes.
• Demonstrating outstanding client care.
• Recognition from peers for achievements.
• Pro-bono work.
• Contributing to the wider legal community

Andrew Tilley, Dutton Gregory’s Managing Partner, pictured left, said: “I am very proud that Emma has been recognised with this national award.

“It is a great testament to Emma’s hard work, professionalism and dedication in this very competitive market.”

Dutton Gregory has two offices in Dorset – Bournemouth, which is the firm’s second largest office, and Poole – with more than 50 staff offering a wide range of legal services for personal and business clients.

The law firm also has three offices in Hampshire.