(L-R) Awards host AndrewRyan; Penny Jones, communications and PR consultant,LisaTremble, director of external affairs, Jessica Hart,senior communications and PR executive, Mishcon de Reya; LauraGolding, senior conference manager, Legal Week
Finalists: Keystone Law; Mayer Brown (highlycommended); Setfords Solicitors; Technology PR.
Mishcon de Reya's shrewd handling of the media furoresurrounding its client Gina Miller's Article 50 legal challenge sawit scoop the PR and communications award.
The firm successfully argued that the government needed tofollow due legal process in order to trigger Article 50 andcommence Brexit negotiations, but given the high profile anddivisive nature of Miller's legal challenge, the firm's PR team hadto rigorously monitor media coverage and make certain the keymessage was reported accurately that the case was about processnot politics. After initial misreporting, the firm's PR teamarranged for a select group of national journalists to be briefedby Miller and Mishcon de Reya partner Rob Murray, ensuringsubsequent stories outlined the legal argument correctly. As thecase unfolded, the team worked closely with Miller and the firm'slawyers to draft statements and carefully manage when to involvejournalists and when to push back on coverage. The case ultimatelygenerated more than 2,500 media reports in 25 countries.
In the face of some very hostile media coverage and fiercepolitical opposition, Mishcon's handling of the issues and theiroverall conduct of the case in PR terms was a tribute both to thefirm and to the client bringing it, said a judge.
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