Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year finalist  

Ben McCormack is among 29 finalists in the 2008 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards and one of three in his category.

Ben was called to the bar in 2005. Formerly a solicitor specialising in housing law (admitted in 1999) he undertakes all areas of housing law. He is recommended in Chambers & Partners 2008 as "An up-and-coming presence at the set, Ben McCormack has impressed solicitors with his 'ability to relate well to clients', his 'effective advocacy' and 'thorough preparation'..."

LAPG Director Carol Storer said, "The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards are a chance to honour the practitioners who work so hard on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people in our society".

The LALYs attracted a record number of entries this year. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges chaired by Cherie Booth QC, and judges included Polly Toynbee of the Guardian and Doreen Lawrence of the Stephen Lawrence Trust.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on 1 December 2008.

> click here to read the full LALY 2008 shortlist

> The LALYs 2008 - profile of finalists in Legal Action (December 2008)

> 25/11/08 Nearlylegal blog on "Unsung heroes"