Emma Waddingham, Founder of Legal News Wales (and current President of Cardiff & District Law Society), joins the TSR Legal Podcast to reflect on the purpose, impact and future vision behind the Legal News Wales Awards 2026.
In conversation with Ryan Pryce, Associate Director at TSR Legal Recruitment — headline partner of the awards and a member of the independent judging panel — Emma discusses how the awards were created to amplify, celebrate and support the legal profession in Wales, while creating a platform for the people, teams and organisations driving positive change across the sector.
Now in their second year, the Legal News Wales Awards are the barometer of excellence in the business of law in Wales. This year’s finalists can be found here – the organisations and individual professionals that have all recently taken part in a series of interviews with the awards diverse judging panel.
In this episode, Emma and Ryan explore the breadth and diversity of the 2026 award categories, the importance of the independent judging and finalist interview process, and the overwhelmingly positive response from finalists and judges alike.
Emma also shares insight into the wider mission of Legal News Wales — championing collaboration, resilience, transformation and opportunity across the Welsh legal sector through events, podcasts, research and sector-led initiatives.
The discussion reflects on the powerful stories that emerged throughout the awards process — from leadership and technology to wellbeing, inclusion, growth and social impact — and why creating space to recognise these achievements matters now more than ever for the future of the profession in Wales.
Emma also revealed some upcoming legal sector events in Wales for the rest of 2026 and offered advice for those considering entering the 2027 Legal News Wales Awards.
Watch or stream the interview now
Podcast version
Stream the latest episode of the TSR Legal Podcast via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other platforms to hear the full conversation, and explore more interviews and insights spotlighting the people shaping the future of the legal sector in Wales. Click here to listen.
