A rising star from Weymouth was singled out in the first year of the Dorset Legal Awards.

The event, backed by the Dorset Echo’s sister paper - the Bournemouth Echo - was organised by business IT consultancy QuoStar and legal recruitment agency ASH Elite.

Emma Tullis, of Mustoe Shorter Solicitors & Advocates, based in Weymouth, was announced as the winner of this year’s Rising Star of the Year prize at the Dorset Legal Awards. After being nominated and going through a tough interview process, Emma beat off the competition to lift the award on the night.

Ruth Mills, managing partner at Mustoe Shorter Solicitors & Advocates said: “Mustoe Shorter Solicitors & Advocates is very proud of Emma’s success at the Dorset Legal Awards, which is thoroughly deserved.

“As the firm covers a diverse range of legal services to the highest standard in Weymouth, Dorchester and Bournemouth, Emma is a fundamental and exciting addition to our ever expanding team of exceptional lawyers.

“Mustoe Shorter continue to actively encourage and recruit exceptionally gifted individuals to join us in providing the best legal services.”

Members of the firm attended the Awards Ceremony in Bournemouth in February to proudly watch Emma receive her award.

Emma graduated from the University of Sussex with a first class honours degree in law, and furthered her education by completing the Legal Practice Course in 2017 obtaining a Distinction.

Robert Rutherford, chief executive of QuoSTar, and Sofie Scott, managing director at ASH Elite, hosted the evening. Supporters included Conker Spirit, the Daily Echo and South Coast Events.

Mr Rutherford said: “The first ever Dorset Legal Awards has been a hotly anticipated event with law firms from around the region vying for a chance to win. This has been a fantastic opportunity to showcase the amazing work that these individuals and firms have done. It’s an understatement to say that the final decisions were not easy to make.”

Ms Scott said: “We are incredibly proud of being able to work with and showcase such fantastic legal talent we have here in Dorset. From 216 original entries, 14 winners have now been crowned and we are already looking forward to seeing what next year’s awards will bring.“I would also like to extend a special thank you to all of our category sponsors; Charles Stanley, Iceberg and Saffery Champness. Without your support, the awards would not be possible.”

Winners

n Company Commercial Team: Laceys. Contribution to the Community: Kitson & Trotman. Dispute Resolution Team: Blanchards Bailey.

n Engagement With Education: Coles Miller. Family Team: Williams Thompson. Law Firm (10-plus partners): Ellis Jones.

n Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Team: Dutton Gregory. Private Client Team: Blanchards Bailey. Property Team: Laceys.

n Law firm (up to 10 partners): Farnfields.

n Lawyer: Paul Kanolik, Ellis Jones. Lifetime Achievement: Nigel Smith, Ellis Jones. Partner: Sam Freeman, Laceys. Rising Star: Emma Tullis, Mustoe Shorter Solicitors & Advocates.

n Special commendations: Blanchards Bailey (company commercial team), Farnfields (family team), Nicola Walker of Harold G Walker (partner), Woodstock Property Law (small firm).