Award Categories

This award celebrates an outstanding lawyer in the early stages of their career (up to five years PQE) who demonstrates exceptional legal, business, and client service skills, along with clear leadership potential. Eligible nominees include trainee solicitors, newly qualified solicitors, junior barristers, and early-career in-house counsel.

In addition to their impact within their firm, chambers, or organisation, nominees must show evidence of leadership beyond the workplace — such as through pro bono work, community engagement, or self-initiated projects.

Submissions for this category must be supported by written references.

This award recognises an initiative that has made a tangible difference in creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace, with the intention of highlighting best practice for the legal profession. In addition to outlining the rationale behind the approach taken, submissions should provide evidence of clear objectives and measurable outcomes (preferably in the form of relevant statistical data). A special effort will be made to contextualise an initiative’s success in relation to the type of organisation.

A strong submission might demonstrate a whole-business approach. Ideally, the impact will affect more than one diversity strand, although this is not essential. Judges will also be looking for evidence of policies, procedures, or systems that have been established to facilitate on-going improvements.

This award celebrates an organisation (law firm, chambers, corporation) that has shown outstanding commitment to building a more inclusive workplace.

The winner will demonstrate measurable progress in creating an environment where people from all backgrounds can thrive — through inclusive policies, culture change, leadership, and impactful initiatives.

Judges will look for evidence of meaningful progress in areas such as recruitment, retention, career development, and firm culture — with a clear focus on impact and sustainability.

This award recognises an in-house lawyer based in the UK who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and measurable impact in promoting a greater awareness of inclusion within their business, including (where possible) outside of the legal function.

Nominees should have:

• Driven strategic change by embedding inclusive principles into the organisation’s legal function, culture, policies, and supplier or panel firm relationships.
• Implemented impactful initiatives that have improved recruitment, retention, progression, and representation of underrepresented groups.
• Actively championed inclusion across the organisation, influencing senior leadership and inspiring colleagues at all levels.
• Demonstrated measurable outcomes, supported by data, testimonials, or case studies showing tangible improvements in workplace diversity and inclusion.
• Engaged with the wider legal community, contributing to cross-sector initiatives, mentoring, advocacy, or public speaking to advance inclusion beyond their own organisation.

Judging considerations:

The judging panel will be looking for evidence of sustained and meaningful results, as well as innovation and influence that extend beyond compliance to create lasting cultural change.