Pictured above: Polly Sweeney
A public law solicitor at leading law firm Irwin Mitchell has
been nominated for the coveted Young Legal Aid Solicitor title at
the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (June 28) for her work
helping to secure care for severely disabled adults.
Polly Sweeney, 26, originally from Somerset, is now living and
working in central Birmingham. She joined Irwin Mitchell's
Birmingham team in September 2009 and hopes to clinch the title at
the Globe Theatre in London on Tuesday.
On her nomination, Polly - who helped set up the Irwin
Mitchell's public law team in Birmingham - specialises in court of
protection, community care/ healthcare, education and human rights
law, said: "At a time when legal aid is facing significant cuts and
reform, these awards help to highlight the important work that
legal aid lawyers do across the country in promoting and ensuring
access to justice for some of the most vulnerable in
society.
"It is fantastic that our work for vulnerable and disabled
clients has been recognised in this way."
Yogi Amin, partner in the public law team at Irwin Mitchell's
Manchester office, said: "Polly is an exceptionally bright,
vivacious young lawyer who has the ability to absorb complex legal
issues with impressive speed.
"Her remarkable record to date speaks for itself: her work
helping to stop Birmingham City Council from withdrawing badly
needed social care from 5,000 vulnerable, disabled and elderly
citizens, was nothing short of outstanding.
"She undoubtedly has a glowing career ahead of her and would be
a most deserving winner of Young Legal Aid Solicitor."