A long-serving Slaughter and May partner, a former attorney general, a consultant to a listed law firm and a senior lawyer at Hogan Lovells have all been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday honours list.
Nigel Boardman – who joined magic circle firm Slaughter and May in 1973, became a partner in 1982 and served as a consultant from 2019 – has been knighted for services to the legal profession.
The Slaughter and May stalwart left the firm at the end of April, with managing partner Deborah Finkler saying: ‘I’d like to thank Nigel for his many contributions to the firm during his time here and we wish him the very best in his future endeavours.’
Jeremy Wright, attorney general under David Cameron and Theresa May between 2014 and 2018, was also knighted for political and public service – just days after he called on prime minister Boris Johnson to resign ‘for the good of this and future governments’.
Stephen Braviner Roman – former director general of litigation, justice and security at the Government Legal Department – was appointed a companion of the Order of the Bath.
Ramesh Vala, a consultant to Ince Group plc, receives the CBE for ‘services to the community and to the Covid-19 response’, having previously been awarded an OBE for his charitable work in 2001.
Retired family court judge Anthony Cleary, admitted to the roll in 1971 and previously a member of the Law Society’s family law committee, has been made an OBE for services to the family justice system.
An OBE also goes to Harry Theochari, senior consultant at international firm Norton Rose Fulbright for his services to the maritime industry, including as former vhair of Maritime UK (MUK).
Theochari is chair of Maritime London and sits on the Institute of Maritime Law Advisory Board of the University of Southampton. Peter Scott, managing partner, Europe, Middle East and Asia, said: 'Congratulations to Harry for this very well deserved award. Harry is a titan of the legal shipping world and has contributed a vast amount to the industry over the decades. I am absolutely delighted that his work and efforts have been recognised with an OBE.'
Pranav Bhanot, solicitor and co-chair of Indian National Association of Legal Professionals (UK Division), receives the MBE.
Andrew Skipper, senior counsel and head of international firm Hogan Lovells’ Africa practice, receives the MBE for services to British trade and investment in Africa.
