Anthony Lyons, head of licensing and partner at Kuits Solicitors, has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement honour at the Manchester Legal Awards.
The award, presented at a dinner hosted by the Manchester Law Society, recognises Anthony’s unrivalled impact and lasting contribution to the legal services market in the region during his lifetime.
Anthony has been instrumental in the development of Manchester’s late night economy and the city being recognised as a vibrant cultural hub over a legal career spanning 40 years, which has included licensing the iconic Hacienda.
In more recent years, Anthony has provided strategic licensing advice to Allied London on the development of Spinningfields and the London Road Fire Station, and Bruntwood on their development of Circle Square on Oxford Road.
Anthony joined Kuits in 2002 and continues to be a key driver in the development of the firm’s leisure and hospitality specialism. Legal directory Chambers & Partners describe him as a ‘market leading figure’, ‘a master of detail, and a highly skilled and persuasive advocate’.
With an increasingly national client base and reputation, last year Anthony was invited to advise the House of Lords as they reviewed the impact of licensing laws on the night-time economy.
Executive partner Robert Levy said: “Kuits are deeply rooted in Manchester and what Anthony has achieved in creating a lasting impact on the city’s economy is something we are incredibly proud of.
“Anthony is a fantastic role model and an inspiration for all our lawyers. His values and drive are still as strong now as when he joined the firm over 15 years ago.
“His lifetime achievement award is richly deserved and he joins an exclusive group of elite legal professionals bestowed with the honour.”
The Manchester Legal Awards were also cause for celebration for two of Kuits’ rising stars, as newly qualified banking solicitor Clair Moran and commercial trainee solicitor Sheridan Edge were two of only three shortlisted in the Trainee/Paralegal of the Year category.
The awards recognise the region’s outstanding legal talent and were hosted at The Midland Hotel on Thursday 1 March 2018.
