Angus wins 2021 In-house Rising Star Award

In-house solicitor Angus Niven has been crowned the Law Society of Scotland in-house rising star of 2021.

Law Society of Scotland President Ken Dalling announced the In-house Rising Star Award winner at the online In-house Annual Conference today, Wednesday 16 June.

The judging panel agreed that Angus’s achievements were very impressive at just four years qualified as a solicitor. As general counsel at media and production company BoxMedia, he plays a key role in the business ensuring it operates legally and efficiently in different jurisdictions as well as the UK, while his entrepreneurial spirit has seen him turn problems into opportunities and play a key role in the strategic development of the business.

Anna Ziarkowska, who works in the legal team at Aberdeenshire Council, was named runner up. She was praised for her innovative proposals which have streamlined legal processes and removed unnecessary formalities and obstacles in the provision of legal services at Aberdeenshire Council. The judging panel also recognised her achievements as a volunteer working with the migrant community, which has led to her becoming a certified immigration advisor.

Law Society President Ken Dalling announced the winner at the virtual event. He said: “I am absolutely delighted to congratulate our very deserving winner Angus. He is clearly a much-valued member of the team at BoxMedia and has made a significant contribution to the success of the organisation. He has excelled as legal counsel and has also impressed his colleagues with his innovative, thoughtful approach in his role at this growing business. His achievements so early in his legal career are extremely impressive and he undoubtedly has a fantastic career ahead of him.

“Many congratulations also go to our runner up Anna who has shone in her role at Aberdeenshire Council and has also developed her legal skills as a volunteer for a number of organisations to support people in her local community.

“New lawyers are the lifeblood of the profession, and the rising star award is a fantastic initiative which recognises and celebrates emerging in-house legal talent. Both Angus and Anna have achieved a great deal at the early stages of their legal careers and have demonstrated commitment and passion for the legal profession and their in-house roles.”

In-house Rising Star Award winner, Angus Niven, said: “I am thrilled to have been chosen as the winner of the Rising Star award. Having moved in house relatively recently I’m delighted to have my work recognised internally and by the judges at the Law Society.  I’ve been very lucky to work with such a supportive and innovative team at BoxMedia and as the sole General Counsel I’ve been involved in some terrific projects. This is a professional highlight for me, there was such a talented shortlist of nominees and I can’t quite believe I won in the end!”

In-House Lawyers Committee co-conveners Sheekha Saha and Vlad Valiente added: “The In-house Rising Star Award is one of the highlights of our year and it’s great to have Angus and Anna join us at today’s annual conference, despite not being able to meet them in person! The judging panel had a tough task, as they do every year, to choose a winner from our nominees.

“Big congratulations to Angus and Anna – they have both shone within their organisations, which was very clear from their nominations, and highlight the real wealth of talent we have in our in-house legal community.”

The In-house Lawyers Committee In-house Rising Star Award judging panel:
• Catherine Corr, Principal Solicitor, Legal Services team at Scottish Enterprise
• Debbie Carroll, Procurator Fiscal Depute
• John Morrison, Legal Counsel at the Phoenix Group
• Rachael McLean, Head of Strategy and Business Division, Scottish Government Legal Directorate

The award was launched by the Law Society in 2013 to recognise the achievements of in-house trainees and solicitors less than five years qualified.