Gregory Nott, the lawyer who has been defending Caster Semenya pro bono, has won the "Lawyer of the Year" award at the Legal Business Awards 2010 that took place on February 11th at a gala ceremony in London.

The global award "recognizes a truly exceptional individual contribution to the profession during the course of 2009." Greg Nott, who is the Managing Partner of Dewey & LeBoeuf in Johannesburg, was singled out for his ongoing pro bono legal work for South African world champion athlete Caster Semenya, for the development of the firm's South Africa practice, and for his demonstrable commitment to pro bono and human rights.

"Whilst the nomination came as a complete surprise to me, to win the award itself is amazing, and incredibly humbling," Nott said. "The ongoing pro bono representation of Caster Semenya is the most important thing here. It remains a great honour to advise on the protection of her rights as a wonderful human and a world champion athlete, and to work on this with such a talented group of South African and international colleagues. Law can be a force for good in the world, for justice, access and for progress – South Africans know that more than most."

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