The Legal Services Transformation of the Year award recognises outstanding transformation by a legal services provider to benefit clients and / or its own people. This category is open to law firms, in-house legal teams, and other legal service providers in Wales that have successfully implemented transformative strategies, such as adopting new technologies, streamlining processes, enhancing client service, or improving access to justice. The award highlights initiatives that drive efficiency, innovation, and meaningful impact in the legal sector.

The Business Growth Award of the Year recognises law firms, legal service providers, or in-house teams that have achieved significant growth. This could include revenue expansion, client base increase, market influence, strategic development or offering measurable added value to organisations. The award celebrates innovation, strong leadership, and effective business strategies that have driven sustainable success in the legal sector or for their organisation.

The Client Experience Award of the Year recognises law firms, legal service providers, or in-house teams that have demonstrated excellence in client service. It celebrates initiatives that enhance client satisfaction, improve communication and processes, and deliver outstanding results. The award highlights innovation, responsiveness, and a client-centric approach that sets new standards in the legal industry in Wales.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award will recognise a law firm, legal service provider, or in-house team that have made a tangible difference in creating a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This award intends to highlight best practice for the legal profession in Wales, based on evidence-led submissions of equity-focused initiatives that create a more accessible legal sector, and a strong culture of belonging. The award highlights leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in advancing DEI within the legal sector in Wales.

The Wellbeing Strategy of the Year award recognises law firms, legal service providers, or in-house teams that have implemented outstanding initiatives that are embedded in strategy and culture, to support the mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing of their employees. Our judges will be looking to recognise organisations that take a strategic approach to creating a positive workplace culture. The award highlights leadership and commitment to fostering a supportive and resilient legal workforce, at all levels. 

This award recognises a law firm, in-house legal team, or barristers’ chambers in Wales that has developed and implemented an outstanding programme to attract, support, and qualify the next generation of legal professionals. This award celebrates organisations that are not only training future lawyers but shaping the future of the Welsh legal profession. Entries are open to any organisation in Wales that offers structured qualification pathways for aspiring lawyers, including but not limited to: • Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) programmes, Legal apprenticeships, CILEx (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) pathways, Pupillage schemes or other structured qualification or training programmes for future lawyers.

The Social Impact Award recognises law firms, in-house legal teams, or barristers' chambers in Wales that have made a meaningful difference in their communities. It will honour initiatives that drive positive social change, improve access to justice, support vulnerable groups, or promote broader societal equity and well-being. The award highlights commitment, innovation, and measurable impact in making a difference beyond legal services. A special effort will be made to contextualise an initiative’s success in relation to size and type of organisation. Please note that there is a separate Pro Bono Award.

The Pro Bono Award recognises a law firm, legal team, or individual in Wales with a remarkable pro bono portfolio. The winner of this award will evidence significant contribution or commitment to the public good and to access to justice in Wales through the participation of pro bono legal advice and representation, and by positively influencing others to offer pro bono legal advice. 

The Marketing Initiative of the Year award recognises impactful and effective marketing campaigns within the legal sector. It will celebrate a law firm, individual, in-house team or barristers' chambers that has that have successfully enhanced brand awareness, client engagement, or business growth through creative and strategic marketing efforts. The award highlights originality, impact, and measurable success in promoting legal services. It may also be awarded to outstanding internal marketing campaigns.

The Sustainability Award of the Year recognises a law firm, in-house team or individual making significant contributions to environmental sustainability. It recognises transformative initiatives, policies, or projects that promote sustainable practices, reduce environmental impact, and drive positive change. The award celebrates leadership in areas such as renewable energy, waste reduction, carbon footprint reduction, sustainable business strategies, and Environmental advocacy and policy influence within the legal sector.

The Legal Sector Leadership Award recognises outstanding and inspirational leaders in Wales’ legal sector. Judges will assess strategic vision and positive impact on the profession, including contributions to industry change, diversity and inclusion, innovation, and ethical or sustainable practices. This leader may hold a legal or operational role with firm-wide or team-based leadership responsibilities. Anyone from the legal sector in Wales may enter - and does not have to be a practicing lawyer.

This additional award category was announced at the Legal News Wales Awards ceremony on the 5 June 2025. It was given to one of the Leadership Award Finalists 2025 (listed above), and will remain on our awards programme in the years ahead. 

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Our judges said: 

'This leader has been the inspiration behind a brand-new award category at the Legal News Wales Awards.  

'They have successfully built a specialist firm and showcased real entrepreneurship to build something completely different for the law firm’s clients and for its people. In doing so, the firm’s expertise now rivals that typically found only in London. 

'The judging panel was particularly impressed by the commitment to a collaborative fee-earning model and a focus on developing and training the firm’s own team in what is a highly specialised, technical, and constantly evolving area of law. Above all, it was this leader’s passion for identifying new and emerging business opportunities — combined with a clear and strategic vision for the firm’s continued evolution — that truly stood out.’ 

This is prestigious award honours an individual in Wales’ legal sector who has made an exceptional impact through dedication, courage, or service. It recognises one individual who goes above and beyond to support justice, champion important causes, or make a meaningful difference in their community or profession. 

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Legal Hero Wales Winner 2025:​​

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Glyn Maddocks KC

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