Birmingham-Based Solicitor Recognised For Work

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 and 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.”