Legal News Wales is delighted to reveal the finalists for the Legal News Wales Awards 2026 – now in their second year – celebrating excellence in the business of law, culture and social impact across Wales.
The awards recognise the individuals, teams and organisations shaping the future of the legal sector – from leadership and business growth to client experience, innovation, operations, culture and community impact.
This year’s entries were submitted by law firms, in-house legal teams, barristers’ chambers, advice organisations and professionals from across Wales. Judges were presented with an exceptionally high standard of submissions, showcasing clear evidence of innovation, resilience and sector-wide impact.
Emma Waddingham, Founder of Legal News Wales and the Awards, said:
“The detail, passion and energy that has gone into this year’s submissions has been incredible and clearly showcases the continued progress, innovation and collaboration across the sector. From outstanding leadership and growth to culture and the next generation of leaders – our rising stars – the strength and depth of talent in Wales’ legal profession is clear.
“We are incredible grateful to all those who took the time to enter, to our judges and to our partners who fundamentally allow us to celebrate the legal profession and its dedication to creating thriving, future-proofed legal organisations and workplaces, and to support clients and communities in and outside of Wales.”
Karen Jones, Director, TSR Legal Recruitment – headline partner for the Awards – added:
“The range and breadth of firms involved in this year’s programme has been fantastic to see; the pride in business leadership, growth, transformation and culture. To showcase excellence isn’t an easy exercise in an award submission but each and every finalist has embodied the values of these awards – to profile achievements and impact, and to help tell the story of the sustained development and fulfilling work of the sector across Wales.
“The panel of judges have their work cut out for them during their interviews with finalists and final voting ahead! We send our many congratulations to all the Legal News Wales Awards finalists and look forward to celebrating their successes and the winners in June.”
Finalists will now progress to the next stage of the robust judging process, which includes in-person interviews with an independent judging panel in Cardiff. The panel brings together senior leaders from across the legal, business and public sectors, ensuring a robust, fair and insightful evaluation process.
The judges
Our judging panel includes a range of independently appointed professionals from business, finance, innovation, practice management, culture, risk management and the free legal advice sector, alongside experts from firms across our carefully curated awards partnerships. View the judging panel here.
Celebrating excellence
The winners will be announced at the Legal News Wales Awards ceremony on 4 June 2026.
This year’s ceremony is set to be even bigger, welcoming more of the profession to come together and celebrate with our finalists at the largest annual legal awards in Wales, run by Legal News Wales – the only independent network for the entire legal profession in Wales.
Tickets for the 2026 awards ceremony are now available, offering an opportunity to join peers, colleagues and leaders from across the sector for an evening celebrating excellence, innovation and impact.
Host
We are also delighted to welcome John Hyde, Deputy News Editor of the Law Gazette, as host for the evening, alongside a number of special guest contributors.
The awards programme is delivered with the support of its partners, including Headline Partner TSR Legal Recruitment, alongside category partners who play a key role in championing excellence across the profession.
The Finalists – Legal News Wales Awards 2026
Business Growth Award (1–50 Employees)
Kindly supported by: Menzies LLP
- Newfields
- Mooneerams
- Tree Law
Business Growth Award (51+ Employees)
Kindly supported by: Menzies LLP
- Browne Jacobson
- CJCH Solicitors
- Harding Evans
Client Experience Award
Kindly supported by: PEXA
- Agri Advisor
- HCB Widdows Mason
- RDP Law
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award
Kindly supported by: Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Cardiff & District Law Society – Trish D’Souza & Jenine Abdo
- Wales & Chester Circuit EDI Committee
- Watkins & Gunn
Future Lawyers Initiative of the Year
Kindly supported by: University of Wales Trinity St David
- Blake Morgan
- Gwyn James Legal Limited
- JCP Solicitors
- Newfields
Legal Services Transformation Award
Kindly supported by: PureCyber
- Agri Advisor
- Hugh James
- NWSSP Legal & Risk
Marketing Initiative Award
Kindly supported by: Conscious Solutions
- JCP Solicitors
- Mooneerams
- NWSSP Legal & Risk
Pro Bono Award
Kindly supported by: Pro Bono Committee for Wales
- Asylum Justice & Cardiff University
- Speakeasy Cymru
- Swansea Law Society
- Watkins & Gunn
Social Impact Award
Kindly supported by: Chambers Wales South East, South West & Mid
- Altra Law
- Blake Morgan
- Darwin Gray
- HCB Widdows Mason
Wellbeing Strategy of the Year Award
Kindly supported by: LawCare
- Altra Law
- Agri Advisor
- Redkite Solicitors
Excellence in Legal Operations Award
Kindly supported by: Osprey Approach
- 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
Rising Star Award
- 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
Leadership Award
Kindly supported by: TSR Legal Recruitment
- Clive Thomas, Managing Director, Watkins & Gunn
- Jenine Abdo, Partner, Duncan Lewis Solicitors
- Laura Hughes & Tim Edds, Partners, Browne Jacobson
- Neil Walker, CEO, Redkite Solicitors
- Sarah Dodd, Founder, Tree Law
Our Legal Hero Wales Award is a judges’ choice award and the winner will be announced on the night of the Awards Ceremony.
Learn more about the awards here.
The winners will be announced on 4 June 2026 at a black tie gala dinner, hosted in the Coal Exchange Hotel, Cardiff. The evening celebrations continue post awards with an After Party and DJ hosted in the venue. The ceremony is open to anyone looking to celebrate with the legal profession in Wales. Last year’s event sold out quickly.
Click here to view ticket information and to book.
