Suzanne Keenan was selected by judges after reading her submission article, How can women shape the future of the Legal Industry.

Organised by the First 100 Years Project, the Inspirational Women in Law Awards identify and celebrate women who are pioneers of the profession, coinciding with the upcoming centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act permitting women to practise law.

At the awards ceremony, Ms Keenan - the only finalist from Northern Ireland - lost out on the award to Anita Jewitt, partner at Irwin Mitchell in London. However, she was happy to be named a finalist.

Ms Keenan said: “I feel honoured to have been selected as a finalist for this award. All the finalists are amazing women who have actively pushed the boundaries at a provincial and national level to further advance the place of women in law.”

Gordon McElroy, director at MKB Law, added: “We are absolutely delighted for Suzanne – she has single-handedly grown and developed the Employment Law Department here at MKB Law and is an inspiration to all.”