Stephenson Harwood head of finance Tammy Samuel has been highly commended at the 2020 Legal Business Awards, in the category of ‘Lawyer of the Year’.

Citing her experience as head of the firm’s rail sector group, the judges highlighted her “market-leading practice for clients such as TfL and the Department of Transport” as well as the role she plays as “mentor and spokesperson for gender and sexual orientation diversity within the profession”. They also noted that “her contribution to promoting women in rail and law, as well as her commitment to wider diversity, is outstanding”.

“I’m thrilled to have been highly commended for this award,” said Tammy Samuel, head of finance, Stephenson Harwood. “While testament to the hard work and dedication of the many exceptional lawyers with whom I work – both at Stephenson Harwood and in-house with our clients – it is particularly heartening to have my efforts to promote diversity within the rail and legal industries recognised in this way.”

Recent mandates for Samuel include advising TfL on Crossrail, and various train operators in their interface with the Department of Transport. A recognised expert in her field, she has previously given evidence to the UK House of Commons’ Transport Select Committee as part of its inquiry into rail infrastructure investment.

Stephenson Harwood’s multi award-winning finance team has expertise within a host of areas, including rail, shipping, aviation, banking, real estate finance, leasing and receivables finance, trade finance, acquisition and leveraged finance, debt capital markets, and derivatives and structured finance. It has specialist lawyers across the firm’s international network, advising on some of the most high profile and complex mandates in the market.