Two solicitors from East Midlands Law Firm, Smith Partnership, were winners at this year’s Derby and District Law Society Annual Awards, with a third named as a finalist.
Partner Oliver Maxwell was named Commercial Lawyer of the Year, while Partner and Head of Childcare Muctar Johal received the award for Lawyer of the Year in a double success for the firm who have offices in Derby, Leicester, and Burton-on-Trent.
Senior Associate Davina Charlton was also recognised as a finalist in the Lawyer of the Year category.
Oliver’s award reflects his hard work in developing Smith Partnership’s real estate disputes offering since joining the firm in January 2025. Since returning to the Derbyshire legal market, he has worked closely with the firm’s commercial real estate, residential conveyancing and company and commercial teams to help strengthen inter-departmental collaboration across each of these disciplines.
Oliver has also been involved in the development of initiatives aimed at helping clients to identify property-related issues “earlier” in the disputes process.
Oliver has previously served as a President of the Derby and District Law Society, and remains an active member of the Committee. He is a director and trustee of the Umbrella Derby and Derbyshire Charity, and has taken part in a number of community initiatives alongside colleagues from across the firm.
He said: “It is a privilege to be recognised by the Derby and District Law Society in this year’s awards. Since joining Smith Partnership, my focus has been on building the firm’s real estate disputes offering. This has led to me working closely with colleagues across a number of disciplines over several of our regional offices.
“This award reflects that collective effort as much as any individual contribution. I would like to dedicate it to the team around me, whose support and commitment have been central throughout.”
Muctar Johal’s recognition follows a legal career spanning more than 30 years in children’s law. As a Solicitor Advocate (Civil), he conducts much of his own advocacy and is regularly instructed in complex and high-profile cases, including matters before the High Court.
Over the course of his career, he has established a national reputation in the field, with extensive experience in public childcare law and regular involvement in complex advocacy, as well as longstanding recognition in The Legal 500 rankings.
His wider contribution to the profession has included lecturing nationally to solicitors and barristers and presenting at conferences on complex childcare cases, alongside contributing to discussion and development in specialist areas of childcare law. His published cases and ongoing involvement in complex legal matters have further contributed to his standing within the profession.
Muctar said: “It is an honour and privilege to be recognised by the Derby and District law Society, in what has been a long career in children’s law. The nature of the work means outcomes are never achieved in isolation, and the standard of service depends on the support, diligence and professionalism of all those I work alongside.
“I am grateful to have received the award, and I regard it as a reflection of the wider team’s work. I am pleased to dedicate it to my colleagues, whose contribution is integral to that work.”
Davina Charlton’s place as a finalist in the Lawyer of the Year category added to Smith Partnership’s representation at the awards and reflected the strength of the firm’s legal team.
To find out more about Smith Partnership, visit https://smithpartnership.co.uk/?utm_source=general&utm_medium=press_release&utm_campaign=oliver_and_muctar_awards
