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The Legal News Wales
Awards Finalists 2026

We are delighted to announce the Finalists of the Legal News Wales Awards 2026, a celebration of excellence in the business of law, culture and social impact in Wales. 

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The awards programme spotlights exceptional performance and innovation in leadership, business operations, marketing, client service, finance, tech, culture, community support, pro bono work and more – to showcase the strength and impact of the entire legal profession in and beyond Wales. 

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Submissions were made from law firms, in-house legal teams, barristers’ chambers, legal advice clinics, and individuals across the nation, filled with exceptional evidence for excellence. Our judges have a challenging task ahead to determine the finalists, who are now preparing for their in-person interviews with our esteemed judging panel.
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With thanks to our Headline Partner:​​​​​​​​​

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2026 Awards Ceremony

Celebrate the Winners of year's Legal News Wales Awards with us on Thursday 4th June 2026.

Tickets are now on sale!

The Finalists 2026

Legal Services Transformation
of the Year

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Agri Advisor​

  • Hugh James

  • NWSSP Legal & Risk

Business Growth 
Award of the Year

1-50 Employees

The Business Growth Award of the Year (1-50 Employees) 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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Newfields

  • Mooneerams

  • Tree Law

Business Growth 
Award of the Year

51+ Employees

The Business Growth Award of the Year (51+ Employees) 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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Browne Jacobson

  • CJCH Solicitors

  • Harding Evans Solicitors

Client Experience 
Award of the Year

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.

Category partner:

PEXA

Finalists:​

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  • Agri Advisor​​

  • HCB Widdows Mason

  • RDP Law

Diversity, Equity
& Inclusion Award
of the Year

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Cardiff & District Law Society

  • Wales & Chester Circuit 

  • Watkins & Gunn

Wellbeing Strategy of the Year

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. 

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Agri Advisor

  • Altra Law​

  • Redkite Solicitors

Future Lawyer Initiative of the Year

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Blake Morgan

  • Gwyn James Legal Limited

  • JCP Solicitors
  • Newfields

Marketing Initiative
of the Year

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • JCP Solicitors

  • Mooneerams

  • NWSSP Legal & Risk​

Social Impact Award

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Altra Law

  • Blake Morgan ​

  • Darwin Gray

  • HCB Widdows Mason

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. 

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Asylum Justice & Cardiff University 

  • Speakeasy Cardiff

  • Swansea Law Clinic

  • Watkins & Gunn​

Rising Star
Award

The Rising Star Award recognises exceptional emerging talent within Wales’ legal sector who are at an early stage of their career but already demonstrating outstanding promise, impact and professionalism. Judges will assess achievement relative to career stage, quality of contribution, initiative and future potential. This award celebrates individuals who are making a meaningful difference now and show clear potential to become future leaders of the profession.

 

Open to: qualified lawyers - Solicitors, CiLEX, Barristers and Licensed Conveyancers - up to 5 years PQE - working in Wales.

Category partner TBA

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​Finalists:

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  • Emily Wellington, Solicitor, JCP Solicitors

  • Hannah Newberry, Director, Alun Jones Family Law

  • Rhian Davies, Associate Solicitor, Blake Morgan

  • Sarah-Jane Lewis, Costs Lawyer, Peak Costs

Excellence in Legal Operations Award

The Excellence in Legal Operations Award recognises outstanding professionals working in operational, management or strategic roles within Wales’ legal sector whose expertise enables legal services to operate efficiently, ethically and sustainably. Judges will assess operational leadership, strategic contribution and measurable impact across areas such as practice management, finance, HR, IT, compliance, governance, risk, business development or service delivery.

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Open to: This award is specifically designed to recognise non-lawyers working in legal practices, chambers or in-house legal teams in Wales, whose work is critical to organisational success. Anyone working in a legal operations, management or specialist support role within the legal sector in Wales may enter.

Category partner:

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Finalists:

 

  • Kayleigh Jefferies, Lead Clerk for Civil & Public Law, 30 Park Place

  • Nathan Hutton, Internal Audit & Certification Manager, Browne Jacobson

  • Rupert Poole, Chief Technology Officer, Hugh James

  • Jenni Gregory, Operations Manager, Watkins & Gunn

Leadership Award
of the Year

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:

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  • Jenine Abdo, Partner, Duncan Lewis Solicitors

  • Laura Hughes & Tim Edds, Partners, Browne Jacobson

  • Neil Walker, CEO, Redkite Solicitors

  • Sarah Dodd, Founder, Tree Law

  • Clive Thomas, Managing Director, Watkins & Gunn

Legal Hero Wales

This 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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This is a judges' choice award and the winner will be announced on the night.

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Category partner:

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(This award is open to: any individual working in the Welsh legal sector, including solicitors, barristers, legal executives, paralegals, legal support staff, and in-house counsel. The nominee must have made a significant contribution through their work, advocacy, or voluntary efforts.​

Please note: this is a judges' choice award based on written nominations. There are no in-person interviews for this category.)

2026 Awards Ceremony

Celebrate the Winners of year's Legal News Wales Awards with us on Thursday 4th June 2026.

Tickets are now on sale!

Headline partner:

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Award category partners:

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PEXA
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Partnership opportunities

Only a few categories remain for this year's awards - with some exciting new awards to add to the mix. To join us as a partner and category judge, please contact us today.

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Celebrate with us

The 2026 Awards Ceremony

Venue

The Coal Exchange Hotel,

Cardiff (Map Below)

Date

Thursday 4 June 2026

Welcome Drinks: 6:30pm

FREE After Party

Tickets on sale:

Tickets to the 2026 Awards Ceremony can be booked here.

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Table of 10: £950 +VAT

Individual Tickets: £95 + VAT

Host

John Hyde

Deputy News Editor

Law Society Gazette

Contact Us

For further information or for partnership enquiries, please contact:

 

​awards@legalnewswales.com

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© 2026. Copyright Emma Waddingham Consulting Ltd, trading as Legal News Wales & Legal News Wales Awards.

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