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Solicitor shortlisted for legal award for pioneering work

A young solicitor dedicated to fighting cancer-related discrimination in the workplace has been short-listed for a top award.

Sarah Collier, a 32 year-old employment lawyer with Gorvins Solicitors in Stockport, has been recognised for her ground-breaking work defending and advising people who have faced prejudice at work after being diagnosed with the disease.

Her nomination for the Law Society Excellence Awards 2015 also acknowledges Sarah`s weekly pro-bono (free) employment surgeries at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and Beechwood Cancer Care Centre in Stockport where she gives support and legal advice to cancer patients who believe they have been discriminated against at work as a result of developing cancer.

With an estimated 2.5 million people in the UK currently suffering with cancer and with one in three expected to develop the disease, cases of discrimination are on the increase. In 2014 Manchester was deemed cancer capital of the UK.

Whilst employees diagnosed with cancer should automatically be protected under the Equality Act 2010, many cancer patients still find themselves facing issues with their job such as being side-lined for promotion, discovering that they have lost some of their pre-diagnosis responsibilities/duties and even dismissal.

This does not only happen in small businesses but Sarah, who joined Gorvins six years ago, has also acted for cancer patients against some of the UK’s leading retailers and blue chip companies.

With a growing reputation as the leading lawyer in this area, Sarah was appointed as key note speaker for ACAS (the UK employment advisory body) where she has presented to employers in Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham on issues such as dealing with cancer in the workplace including the legal obligations that employers owe to their employees who have been diagnosed with cancer. As a result further discussions about collaboration with Acas on this issue at a national level are anticipated.

Sarah also provides a first port of call for referral of patients for a number of Macmillan Information Centres throughout the North West. Partner and Head of Employment Law, David Walton at Gorvins describes as a “phenomenal achievement”.

David added: “Through her indefatigable dedication to vulnerable clients facing a distressing illness, Sarah has become a pioneer in offering niche legal support for cancer patients who feel they have been discriminated against because of their disease.”

Since joining Gorvins she has shown remarkable integrity and clarity of vision in helping her clients. This, coupled with her kindly approach and sharp legal talent, has established Sarah as the lawyer to turn to when those, faced with this horrendous disease, find themselves under the added strain of enduring discrimination at work.

Married and currently expecting her first child, Sarah has strong links with The Christie Hospital, Beechwood Cancer Care Centre and Macmillan Cancer Support, who often refer patients to her for advice.

She is currently setting up a dedicated website, ‘Working with Cancer’ which will provide a forum for people to record their stories and share experiences of discrimination/ dismissal because of their diagnosis.

Says Lorraine Lockie, Managing Partner of Gorvins “both her colleagues and clients have so much respect for Sarah. At a time of intense anxiety, Sarah relieves stress caused by their employment issues and gives cancer patients the confidence to pursue justice.”

The prestigious awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 22nd October at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London where the best of the best legal talent will gather to discover the winners. Law Society president Jonathan Smithers said: “The Law Society Excellence Awards are a reminder of the value of the all too often unsung work of solicitors.

“I am proud that my profession has so many impressive individuals who continue to innovate and thrive even in challenging economic and legislative environments, seeking to serve their clients and communities in the best way that they possibly can.

“I am delighted, on behalf of the Law Society and the profession, to have this opportunity to celebrate the contributions made to society, to business and to the legal sector by this year’s nominated individuals, teams and firms.

“It is inspiring and motivating to read of the fantastic work being done by solicitors across the country and the profession. I congratulate this year’s finalists and look forward very much to meeting them at the awards ceremony in October.”

Commenting on the nomination Sarah said “I am overwhelmed to have been shortlisted for Solicitor of the Year alongside some phenomenal and talented solicitors. The work I do gives me a great sense of satisfaction just knowing that I am helping people get through what is one of the most painful and stressful moments in their lives.

My congratulations goes to all finalists and I look forward to hearing the winners at the ceremony in October.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Longmire .