13/12/2010
Newport women celebrated in business awards
Sarah Williams, partner at Newport-based Watkins and Gunn Solicitors, fought off competition in the toughest category of the awards to win the business accolade.
On the night, Sarah was joined by two other Newport-based winners, Sarah Stone, director and photographer of Sarah Stone photography who won Best Woman in a Media Category and Janet Hay, executive director of 4WARD Development Ltd who picked up the award for Best Female Newcomer.
Sarah first started working for Watkins and Gunn when she was 16. She moved quickly through the ranks from receptionist to clerk and paralegal, while studying for her law degree at the same time. Sarah completed her training contract in 18 months and was running her own department just two years after qualifying.
She became a partner at the firm at the age of just 28 and has also gained the qualification of higher court advocate which allows her to represent clients in the higher courts of England and Wales and have the same advocacy rights as barristers.
Sarah impressed the judges with her determination and fighting attitude to succeed in her chosen career in the male dominated area of Criminal Law. Sarah also takes great pride in training and developing others in her specialised area.
On talking about her award, Sarah said “I’m overwhelmed to have won in my category, especially against so many talented and inspiring women.
“The field of criminal law can still be seen as a male dominated area of the industry, and I hope that my achievements show that this doesn’t have to be the case, and that if you really want something you can achieve it.
“I’m hoping the next five years will see Watkins and Gunn’s criminal department, and the company as a whole, continue to grow and develop. We are hoping to obtain legal services preferred suppliers status by 2011 and increase the number of fee earners working in the criminal department.
“I’m really proud of how far the company has come over the years. It has taken a lot of hard work and we have overcome a lot of obstacles, but it has definitely been worth it!”
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