Local solicitor celebrates national business success award

A senior solicitor from the West Midlands has been recognised in a national awards ceremony celebrating inspirational women across the UK.

Jas Thiara, Head of the Criminal & Motoring Offences department at Alsters Kelley in Coventry, won the Excellence In Professional Services category at The Ladies First Professional Development Awards held in Southam, on June 13th.

As a Higher Courts Advocate she has more than 20 years’ experience, representing clients across a wide range of matters, from breach of food safety regulations, professional conduct matters and motoring offences to criminal defence work.

Jas has also even been ranked as top motoring lawyer in the ‘ThreeBestRated.co.uk’ website, stating ‘Meticulous preparation and skilful advocacy and is a force to be reckoned with.’

She also has experience in representing vulnerable clients with mental health and learning difficulties. As a result of her community work she has been appointed as a Trustee for Bedworth Rugby and Nuneaton Citizen Advice Bureau (BRANCAB).

Jas said: “I was overwhelmed and proud of winning the award. I go the extra miles for our clients and can be relentless in achieving the right outcomes for them. Receiving the award has made me feel proud and confident in my work and being recognised for my achievements in client services. I find it difficult to praise myself and being recognised in this way publicly has inspired me to continue doing what and I am doing and has driven me to achieve even more both personally and professionally.

“My job is particularly demanding due to the crumbling criminal justice system. Everything we do for our clients is a battle in the current system, this does not prevent me from fighting the corner for the client until the right and fair outcome is achieved. 

“I have a very diverse client base and clients who are vulnerable or have mental health problems. My aim is always to make sure that they are represented properly and fairly by the system, and I am driven in ensuring that they get the right representation and outcomes for their cases.”

As well as Coventry, Alsters Kelley has offices in Leamington, Southam, Nuneaton and Stratfor-upon-Avon, providing a full range of legal services.

Catherine Wahlberg, Managing Director at Alster Kelley, said: “With over 20 years’ experience of the Criminal Justice system Jas demonstrates an ideal tone to deal with committees, Judges, Magistrates and Tribunals.

“She is an outstanding cross examiner, persuasive speaker, skilled tactician, and a highly versatile solicitor. She takes particular pride in giving attention to client’s individual needs in the most sensitive of cases and has a lot of experience in representing vulnerable clients with mental health and learning difficulties.

“Overall, Jas is an excellent lawyer and a credit to her profession. In addition, she is a great team player, fabulous manager of people, always supportive, fair and consistent and is very commercially aware. She is a great asset to the Alsters Kelley business and very deserving of this award to acknowledge her hard work and commitment to the industry and to our firm.”

Four hundred people assembled at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in Southam for the glittering ceremony on Thursday (June 13th), hosted by Kirsty Leahy, Karen Jones and ‘Roberto.’

Other local winners included BBC radio presenter Trish Adudu, from Coventry, who was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Media, as well as Rugby’s Louise Adkins, founder of Share Haulage, who was named Business Woman of the Year and Jackie Allan, who runs Revolve in Leamington who received a Lifetime Achievement Award in Fashion & Retail.

The Awards judges said: “Jas presented as someone who was passionate not only about her role but also helping people in difficult circumstances. She has gone above and beyond in her role and her passion for what she does was very sincere and inspiring.”

Jas said: “I enjoy my work because it provides me with new challenges daily and is varied. I am driven by new challenges, dealing with the challenges and finding solutions to them and getting positive outcomes even in the most complex and sensitive of cases.  My work also allows me to develop mentally by the challenges and changing environment of the criminal justice system.”

Full list of winners can be found here: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk/2024-winners/