The winners of the inaugural Legal News Wales Awards have been announced, with legal professionals, teams and organisations across the nation recognised for their excellence in the business of law, culture, innovation and social impact.
Held at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel on Thursday 5 June 2025, and hosted by broadcaster and journalist Sian Lloyd, the sold-out ceremony brought together Wales’ legal leaders to spotlight those shaping the future of the profession – and strengthening communities and the economy through their work.
In her opening address, Emma Waddingham, Founder and Editor of Legal News Wales, said:
“Tonight, we’re not just hosting an awards ceremony – we’re celebrating a movement. A celebration of teams, organisations and individuals who not only deliver legal excellence, but elevate the profession and create space for transformation: for people, clients, and communities.
“These awards reflect a legal sector that is dynamic, socially responsible, and essential to Wales’ civic and economic future.”
The evening also featured a keynote address from Mark Evans, Vice President of The Law Society of England & Wales, and a welcome from Counsel General for Wales, Julie James MS.
Karen Jones, Director, TSR Legal Recruitment, headline sponsor of the Legal New Wales Awards, added:
“It’s fantastic to see legal service providers sharing both their successes and the challenges they face across the sector. The impact these providers have on communities throughout Wales is truly inspiring.
“Being part of the Legal News Wales Awards this year has made it clear that legal talent across the sector is stronger than ever. It is evident that there is an impressive range of opportunities available across a diverse spectrum of legal services throughout Wales, making Wales one of the go-to legal hubs in the UK.”
The evening offered a few surprise announcements, including the creation of an additional award to the programme – Legal Entrepreneur of the Year, based on the finalists of the Leadership Award.
Legal News Wales Awards 2025 – The Winners
Legal Services Transformation of the Year
Supported by PEXA UK
WINNER: 30 Park Place
Business Growth Award of the Year
Supported by Ogi Pro
WINNER: Darwin Gray Solicitors
Marketing Initiative of the Year
Supported by Conscious Solutions
WINNER: Harding Evans Solicitors
Client Experience Award of the Year
Supported by KE Costs Lawyers
WINNER: Newfields
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Award of the Year
Supported by The Solicitors Regulation Authority
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Cardiff University Widening Participation Team
WINNER: Browne Jacobson
Wellbeing Strategy of Year
Supported by LawCare
WINNER: Watkins & Gunn
Pro Bono Award of the Year
Supported by The Pro Bono Committee for Wales
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Commonhold & Leasehold Experts Ltd
WINNER: Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic
Social Impact Award of the Year
Supported by Menzies LLP
WINNER: Harding Evans Solicitors
Sustainability Award of the Year
Supported by Businessin Wales
WINNER: Tree Law
Future Lawyer Scheme of the Year
Supported by the University of Wales Trinity St David
WINNER:Watkins & Gunn
Leadership Award
Supported by Chambers Wales SESWM
WINNER: Eve Piffaretti, Blake Morgan LLP
Legal Entrepreneur of the Year
Supported by: Mastering Diversity
WINNER: Glyn Lloyd, Newfields
Legal Hero Wales Award
Supported by TSR Legal Recruitment
WINNER: Glyn Maddocks KC
Legal Hero Wales 2025
The judges of the Legal News Wales Awards received a wealth of nominations for this award, and they chose a truly exceptional figure in the legal profession in Wales as the inaugural winner of this unique award — someone whose work has changed lives and exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a lawyer.
Rachel Phillips, Associate Director at TSR Legal, presented the award on the night, on behalf of the judging panel, and said:
“Our Welsh Legal Hero 2025 is Glyn Maddocks KC — a tireless advocate and lifelong champion for justice.
“Glyn’s impact goes far beyond the courtroom — he’s advised parliamentary groups, helped shape reform through the Law Commission, and inspired generations of lawyers with his courage, compassion, and tenacity. It is an honour to recognise him tonight.”
After qualifying in 1986, Glyn built a formidable career — from high-profile civil and criminal cases, to representing victims of tragedy, injustice and institutional failure. But it is his unique and unwavering commitment to miscarriages of justice that has defined his legacy.
For decades, Glyn has worked — much of it pro bono — on behalf of clients whose lives were shattered by wrongful convictions. From the landmark case of Tony Stock, to his work with the charity APPEAL, which helped overturn Andy Malkinson’s conviction last year, Glyn has never stopped fighting for the truth.
Perhaps most movingly, Glyn devoted over 24 years to the case of Oliver Campbell, a vulnerable young man wrongly imprisoned at 19. Thanks to Glyn’s relentless work, Oliver’s conviction was finally quashed in September 2024.
We will be speaking to Glyn about his work, career and inspiration for other lawyers in Legal News Wales over the coming weeks.
Looking ahead: A powerful showcase for the legal profession in Wales
Another surprise announcement came from Emma Waddingham, who announced that all winners and finalists will be invited to showcase their work during Wales Week London in 2026. She explained:
“Legal professionals in Wales don’t simply navigate complex systems — you make them work better. You bring fairness, clarity, and confidence to thousands of lives. You adapt, you lead with purpose, and you inspire others through your resilience and innovation.
“You are setting the standard — and tonight, we celebrate that. But more than that — I want tonight to be a launchpad, because this is just the beginning.
“We’ll be spotlighting the strength of Wales’ legal sector to a national and international audience in Wales Week London, to help attract new talent and new opportunities.”
In the month’s ahead, Legal News Wales also host a dedicated series of podcasts and panel events featuring all finalists and winners — ‘because these stories deserve to be heard and built upon’ Emma said, and added: ‘Together, we can inspire the profession in Wales and beyond’.
Supporting the wellbeing of the legal sector in Wales
The 2025 Awards also supported LawCare as Charity of the Year, recognising the vital work the organisation does for the mental wellbeing of everyone working in law.
Our partners
The Legal News Wales Awards were made possible thanks to the generosity of our awards partners, and Headline Partner, TSR Legal Recruitment.
The evening’s event management came from Grapevine Event Management, with social and digital media support from WCS Agency, and the media partner, Business in Wales Magazine.
For more information and to view the full list of finalists, click here.
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Photo copyright: Matthew Horwood 2025
