Ruth is described as a ‘passionate, creative, dedicated and fearless advocate and solicitor’. Her career has been rooted in her local community, ever since she founded her firm in 1986. Her commitment to her clients has never diminished and she makes herself available to them 24 hours a day. She is ‘eternally optimistic and pragmatic, resolving a problem by finding a solution’.

Margaret is a leader in her field. Her nomination was supported by Alfie Meadows, the young man charged with violent disorder at an anti-tuition fees protest, despite sustaining life-threatening head injuries. After a long battle – including a hung jury and an aborted trial – Alfie was recently acquitted. He praised Margaret for her unwavering support and ‘doing everything and more’ to fight his case.

Shauneen was described by one Queen’s Counsel (QC) as ‘by some margin the best criminal defence lawyer of her generation’, who radiates calm, ‘a rare commodity in the hurly burly of criminal litigation’. Her recent victories include establishing that police must treat 17-year-olds in custody as children. The mother of the young man at the heart of the successful judicial review says:

‘With her on your side, you feel very safe and secure.’

Andrew is chairperson of the Association of Prison Lawyers and works tirelessly for his clients. A severely disabled prisoner, who was sentenced for drugs offences despite needing 24-hour care, praised Andrew’s efforts, which saw him being released from custody. The family of another client, who was also freed, wrote that their son was ‘so unlucky to have been given the type of sentence he was given, but so lucky to have met you’.

Jerry is described as ‘one of the most knowledgeable, approachable and helpful children lawyer I have ever met’. He is generous with sharing his expertise on the Children Lawyers Yahoo group, answering questions and taking up points with the Legal Aid Agency. He has also campaigned tirelessly against the legal aid cuts.

Rachel specialises in complex care proceedings and allegations of non-accidental injury. The support she offers clients who have been wrongly accused is exemplary, providing emotional strength as well as legal integrity. She set up a blog site for parents accused of harming their children, and keeps up to date with medical research and court decisions in this area.

Colin always goes above and beyond to assist his clients. One mother, whose children were subject to a care order, wrote he made it very clear, if ever she were feeling ‘wobbly or disheartened’ to call him ‘and he would do his best to support me and talk to me’. Another satisfied client wrote of him: ‘What can I say, apart from “Wow!”.’

Ann acted in the leading case on non-accidental injury, Islington v Al-Alas, where her tactical and creative skills were to the fore. The client at the heart of the case wrote: ‘Ann supported me through a long criminal trial and was there every step of the way through the long family trial. If it wasn’t for Ann, I wouldn’t have my daughter in my care now.’

■ A limited number of tickets, priced £30 including VAT, is available for the 11th Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards ceremony on 2 July, which will be held at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London. For details e-mail: conference@lapg.co.uk.

This east London firm is described as ‘The firm for public law (children) cases’. As well as impeccable legal expertise, Goodman Ray also provides a therapeutic service to clients through its close links to psychologists and other therapists. It has been involved in a raft of leading cases, but never forgets ‘the most “mundane” contact case is just as important to the client as the most “exciting” court of appeal case’.

Swain’s lawyers have a passion for defending the vulnerable, providing an across-the-board legal aid service. Key cases last year include a judicial review on behalf of a prisoner who was being denied escorted visits to enable him to visit the hospice where his son was dying. A clinical psychologist praises their commitment to ‘transforming lives and protecting the powerless’.

Makin Dixon provides family legal aid in ten locations in West Yorkshire and Lancashire. It is 100 per cent publicly funded and prides itself on being part of its local community, doing extensive charity work. Despite all the difficulties, it somehow manages to continue to invest in staff and promote panel membership, winning plaudits from politicians, clients and charities alike.

One QC says Jane takes on cases no one else wants, and fights for ‘unpopular clients with ability and tenacity’. She fought for human rights for years before it became fashionable and has continued to do so, day in and day out, for unsympathetic clients. Another lawyer praises her ‘pugnacious opposition to the onslaughts of the other side, combined with realistic yet compassionate advice’.

Ranjiv shows great dedication in acting for those with mental health problems and foreign national offenders challenging detention and removal. He has been involved in leading EU deportation cases, demonstrating the strength of his conviction and soundness of his judgment. His work has kept families together, secured the liberty of individuals and prevented destitution.

Amanda is known for her immigration and asylum work. She is praised for treating clients with the utmost respect and never condescendingly. One supporter says, she is ‘the kind of barrister we all hope to get when fighting heart-breaking sensitive cases’. Another solicitor writes: ‘Amanda fights hard and wins appeals. That saves lives in asylum cases.’

Russell is a housing lawyer who has been at the legal aid coalface for 30 years. During that time, he has devoted his life to providing an exceptional service for the most vulnerable clients. One client praises his ‘gentle kindness and understanding’; another says: ‘Mr Conway is an angel – a very special person.’

Paul was formerly senior solicitor at Cumbria Law Centre®, before recently moving to the Bar. He is praised for his work mentoring staff, training the next generation and developing links with community groups. Under his stewardship, the Law Centre grew from its initial setting in Carlisle to a county-wide Law Centre, offering services in some of the most deprived areas.

As well as doing her day job in Hammersmith & Fulham, Sue was instrumental in setting up a new Law Centre in Ealing, after provision in that borough collapsed. One solicitor says Sue ‘translates her anger about the way the most vulnerable in our society are being damaged by inequality into action’.

Tam was paid the ultimate accolade, being nominated for this award by a competitor solicitor: ‘Not only does she exhibit the highest standards but she demands it of her staff.’ A consultant forensic psychiatrist says: ‘She always sees clients as people with families, lives and concerns other than their mental health.’

Richard has spent the past 15 years building his firm’s department into one of the most respected in the field. He is passionate about protecting the rights of those suffering mental illness, often acting for some of the most demanding and unpopular clients imaginable, including Moors murderer Ian Brady.

Corinne brings cutting-edge challenges on behalf of the highest risk and most controversial patients. Her work is unsung, and she is unafraid to raise difficult points of law. Her cases are complex and she is praised for her exceptional commitment.

Ish is nothing if not tenacious, and on occasion has even managed to win refugee status for a Darfuri man who had already been taken to the airport for removal. One family wrote in support of his nomination, saying: ‘We would not be together now if Ish didn’t help us.’

Stuart is head of his firm’s immigration department, having originally entered the profession thanks to a Legal Services Commission-sponsored training contract. He leaves no stone unturned, and one young client says ‘he is better than Chelsea football’.

Rakesh is praised for his work for those in immigration detention under anti-terror legislation, and is unstinting when it comes to protecting his clients’ interests. One QC writes that he epitomises all that is excellent in publicly funded legal services.

Hilton’s nomination was supported by a client who faced deportation to Ghana despite suffering from serious kidney failure and needing regular dialysis. ‘After we won my appeal, I felt that at least my life would continue. I am very grateful to Hilton’, he wrote.

Rebecca was accredited to the Law Society mental health panel two months before she qualified. She is passionate about her work and brings this enthusiasm to her department. Despite being young in practice, she deals with her cases in a professional and sophisticated manner.

Nadia is a family solicitor-advocate and collaborative lawyer. As well as her case work, she provides invaluable support to a huge number of family campaign groups. She is also active in Young Legal Aid Lawyers, acting as administrator, responding to the many queries received and updating its website.

Natalie is nominated for her actions against the police and is a committed member of the Police Action Lawyers Group. She conducts pro bono and outreach work and, despite being a relative newcomer, has been involved in a host of key cases. One client says: ‘After being mistreated by police, it’s good to know that Natalie has got my back.’

Katy has carved out a niche in the highly specialist area of child abduction and forced marriage. She is described as ‘without doubt a rising star in the family Bar’, acting in a number of reported cases. Her client skills are excellent, and she manages to build a rapport with her clients quickly, putting them at ease.

Leonie is nominated for her work acting for vulnerable children and adults. In the last year, she has brought a successful challenge to the immigration detention of a schizophrenic client, who was denied treatment in breach of his article 3 and article 8 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. She develops a rapport with her clients, advising one to wiggle his toes in court to help himstay calm.

Sarah undertakes a full range of judicial review cases, but is particularly praised for her work for prisoners and in immigration cases. Her nomination is supported by a local Citizens Advice Bureau and Greater Manchester’s Immigration Aid Unit. Sarah is also praised for her commitment to voluntary and pro bono work, and is an active campaigner.

■ The judges will also be making an award for outstanding achievement, which is sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.