We are delighted to announce that our managing director, Andrew Sperling, has won the 2021 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year award in the Social Welfare Law category. In fact, we are so excited that it’s taken us two weeks to get our act together and write a blog piece.
The Social Welfare category covers all legally-aided fields that are not covered by a dedicated award category, including prison law.
Andrew specialises in Judicial Review, Parole Board advocacy and human rights. He has extensive knowledge of prison law, policy and procedures and is an acclaimed Solicitor-Advocate with High Court Civil Advocacy rights since 2010.
The commitment that Andrew gives to his work every working day is almost incomprehensible. He explores every available avenue to ensure he achieves the best possible outcome for his clients. His professional, sensitive and caring manner has supported numerous prisoners and their families through extremely complex and distressing processes.
We are thrilled that his hard work has been recognised – many congratulations Andrew! Incredibly well deserved.
CEO of Legal Action Group, Sue James, has written a moving article about the awards and the work of social justice lawyers: "We are legal aid, and we are nothing if not dogged".
You can also read the Legal Aid Practitioners Group press release about the 2021 awards below.