Marcus Hayes shortlisted for Solicitor of the Year
Marcus Hayes shortlisted for the second time in three years for top legal award for pioneering work
Marcus Hayes, has been shortlisted for the second time in three years as Solicitor of the Year at the Law Society Excellence awards which recognises and celebrates some of the very best work in the legal profession across the country.
Marcus, one of only 10 solicitors from 133,365 practising solicitors in England and Wales to be shortlisted in the category of Solicitor of the Year, regularly acts for prominent public and private concerns and high net worth individuals both in the United Kingdom and overseas.
But it is Marcus’ pioneering work since he in established his own charity, the Mason Hayes Charitable Trust in 2009, that has been particularly recognised.. The Trust has raised thousands of pounds for national charities, has helped to widen access to careers in the law through funding, work experience and mentoring support and has internationally supported the education of Romanian orphaned children.
In recent years the Trust, through Marcus’ indefatigable and pioneering work, has supported students attending at the University of Sussex, where Marcus studied, and where he has been added as a notable legal alumni. In 2014 Marcus was awarded a Fellowship from the University in recognition of his outstanding advocacy and mentoring and other voluntary work on its behalf. In 2013, in conjunction with the University of Sussex, the Mason Hayes first-generation scholarship scheme was shortlisted in the Widening Participation category at The Times Higher Education Awards.
The Trust is also actively involved in special needs education which has seen Marcus meet Ministers, Civil Servants and MPs as he continues to highlight the needs and educational requirements of autistic children. Working with the National Autistic Society, Marcus aims to establish a national pro-bono legal service for parents with autistic children as well as an internship programme for autistic undergraduates. During 2014 Marcus also worked with the Government on a variety of its potential commercial and civil justice reforms.
The prestigious awards ceremony will take place in October at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London. In commenting on the event, the Law Society President, Jonathan Smithers said: “I am proud that my profession has so many impressive individuals. It is inspiring and motivating to read of the fantastic work being done by solicitors across the country and profession”
Commenting on his nomination Marcus said: “I am overwhelmed to have been shortlisted for the second time in three years for such a prestigious award alongside some phenomenal and talented solicitors. The work I do, particularly through the Charitable Trust, gives me a great sense of satisfaction just knowing that I can help people”.