We are immensely proud of family lawyer Jenny Newton who on Friday 5 July won the Family Legal Aid including Children’s Rights category at the 2024 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards. Jenny was supported on the evening by members of our leading family team. It was an inspiring evening and poignant to see the power of legal aid and its ability to transform lives.

The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards

The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards (LALY) are organised by Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG), on a non-profit basis, as a celebration of the work of lawyers on the social justice frontline. The LALYs are unique and distinct because the lawyers celebrated not just exceptional lawyers but exceptionally courageous and compassionate human beings.

About Jenny Newton

Jenny qualified as a solicitor in June 1991 and represents children, parents and extended family network members in cases where the Local Authority has concerns regarding child protection. Her expertise includes pre-proceedings, Care Proceedings, Deprivation of Liberty, Adoption and Special Guardianship. With a wealth of experience in a wide range of child protection issues, Jenny particularly excels in cases involving suspected Non-Accidental Injury, especially those concerning fractures and head injuries, as well as complex medical needs cases where the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is involved.

Jenny is a a member of the Law Society Children Panel and has higher rights of audience. She has undertaken vulnerable witness training and maintains a knowledge of law and practice.

With a deep understanding of the challenges parents face in navigating court proceedings, Jenny approaches her work with empathy and a non-judgmental attitude. Her paramount concern is always the welfare of the child, and she tirelessly works towards achieving the best possible results for her clients. Legal aid work is at the heart of her practice.

What do we think?

Jenny thoroughly deserves this achievement in recognition of the outstanding contribution she has made in championing children’s rights in a career spanning over two decades. As a result of her sterling work in representing children in public law care proceedings, she has made a positive difference to countless children’s lives, securing the best possible outcomes for them. She is a source of wisdom and inspiration and is always ready to pass on her experience and knowledge to other legal aid lawyers in the team.

Congratulations to Jenny, this is a well-deserved win!