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The Legal News Wales
Awards Finalists 2025

We are delighted to reveal the finalists of the inaugural Legal News Wales Awards 2025, a celebration of excellence in the business of law in Wales.

 

Following an outstanding response from across the legal sector, the shortlist showcases the inspiring individuals, teams and businesses who are shaping the future of legal services 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 had a challenging task 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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The 
Finalists:

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:

LNW Partner TBA

Finalists:​

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  • 30 Park Place

  • CJCH Solicitors

  • Redkite Solicitors

Business Growth 
Award of the Year

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.

Category partner:

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Finalists:​

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  • Browne Jacobson

  • Darwin Gray

  • HCR Law

  • Newfields

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:

LNW Partner TBA

Finalists:​

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  • Newfields 

  • Watkins & Gunn

  • Robertsons Solicitors

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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  • Blake Morgan LLP

  • Browne Jacobson

  • Cardiff University

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:

LNW Partner TBA

Finalists:​

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  • JCP Solicitors

  • Redkite Solicitors

  • Watkins & Gunn

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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  • Harding Evans LLP

  • Hugh James

  • Watkins & Gunn

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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  • Blake Morgan LLP

  • Harding Evans LLP

  • 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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  • Bangor University Legal Advice Clinic

  • Cardiff University Legal Advice Clinic

  • Commonhold & Leasehold Experts

  • Robertsons Solicitors

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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  • Harding Evans LLP

  • Howells Solicitors

  • Robertsons Solicitors

Sustainability Award
of the Year

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.

Category partner:

Bernie Davies

Finalists:​

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  • Gomer Williams & Co

  • Tree Law

  • NWSSP Legal & Risk

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:

LNW Partner TBA
  • Eve Piffaretti, Blake Morgan LLP

  • Tim Edds, Browne Jacobson

  • Juliet Phillips-James, Gareth Jones, Clare Tregoning, Lucy Williams and Laura Sherwood, Gomer Williams & Co

  • David King, HCR Law

  • Glyn Lloyd, Newfields

Welsh Legal Hero

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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Category partner:

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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.

Image by Scott Webb

The Awards Ceremony

Celebrate the Finalists & Winners of this Year's Legal News Wales Awards at our black-tie awards ceremony on 5th June 2025, at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel

Meet the judges

of the Legal News Wales Awards 2025

Our independent judging panel have been invited to lend their expertise on the legal profession in Wales and the business of law, covering growth and finance, social impact, culture, professional development, leadership, diversity, equity and inclusion, recruitment and retention and more. Watch this space for further additions to our judging panel!

Image by Scott Webb
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Celebrate with us

The 2025 Awards Ceremony

Venue

Cardiff

Marriott Hotel

Date

Thursday 5 June 2025

From 6:30pm

Tickets

Table of 10          = £950 +VAT

Individual ticket  = £95   +VAT

Contact Us

For further information or for partnership enquiries, please contact:

 

​awards@legalnewswales.com

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© 2025. Copyright Emma Waddingham Consulting Ltd, trading as Legal News Wales & Legal News Wales Awards.

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