STOWE Family Law has been shortlisted for two major industry awards.

The North Yorkshire law firm has been shortlisted for the inaugural Excellence in Pro Bono title at the Law Society Excellence Awards.

Meanwhile the Harrogate firm's senior partner, Marilyn Stowe, has been nominated in the Legal Businesswoman of the Year category.

The nationally sought-after Law Society Excellence Awards are held each year to recognise outstanding legal practitioners. The shortlist is drawn up by a panel of expert judges from law and business, including Lord Peter Goldsmith QC and Lord John Dyson, Master of the Rolls. 

The Excellence in Pro Bono award recognises non-profitable work to date. At Stowe Family Law, all offices hold free daily legal advice clinics and have helped more than 550 people since 2009. Mrs Stowe’s blog www.marilynstowe.co.uk, also dispenses daily free family law advice and guidance.

Earlier this year, Mrs Stowe wrote an easy-to-understand guide to family breakdown, Divorce & Splitting Up: Advice from a Top Divorce Lawyer. 

The book has been the bestselling guide to divorce on Amazon UK since its publication, with all royalties going to The Children’s Society.

The Legal Business Woman of the Year award shortlisting recognises Stowe Family Law’s string of successes and rapid growth to become the country’s largest specialist family law firm.

The firm began life in a converted cobblers’ shop in Leeds in 1982; today, there are six offices in London and the North.

Mrs Stowe said: “2013 has been a milestone year for us so far.  The news that Stowe Family Law has been shortlisted for not one, but two prestigious Law Society Excellence Awards has come at the perfect  time.

"The firm has opened its fifth and sixth offices, in Wilmslow and Wetherby. This year we have seen more people instruct our solicitors and visit our free legal clinics than ever before.”

The winners will be announced at a black tie event in London on October 22. The Law Society represents solicitors in England and Wales. The Society lobbies government and regulators, provides training and advice and also promotes the profession.