Leader of the Year

This award recognises an outstanding individual in the legal sector who has demonstrated exceptional leadership through influence and advocacy.  The recipient will be someone who has gone beyond professional achievement to make a lasting impact on others and the wider profession.

Nominees should demonstrate:

  • Influence and Advocacy – championing positive change within the profession and beyond, whether through thought leadership, public speaking, or campaigning to raise awareness of key issues.

  • Mentorship and Inspiration – supporting and empowering the next generation of legal professionals, acting as a role model, and inspiring others to achieve their full potential.

  • Driving Awareness and Change – actively engaging in initiatives or programmes that tackle barriers, promote inclusion, and create opportunities across the legal sector.

This award celebrates leaders whose vision, voice, and actions have left an indelible mark on their peers, organisations, and the profession as a whole.

The judging panel will look for clear evidence of outcomes and impact, including testimonials, case studies, or examples of meaningful collaboration.

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Solicitor of the Year

This award recognises a solicitor practising in England and Wales who has demonstrated innovation and measurable impact in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal profession.

Nominees should have:

  • Actively championed inclusion both within their own firm and across the wider legal sector, serving as a role model for colleagues and the profession as a whole.
  • Committed to sustained progress, helping to secure inclusion is embedded into the profession.

The judging panel will look for clear evidence of outcomes and impact, including testimonials, case studies, or examples of meaningful collaboration.

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BSN Rising Star

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.

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Best Inclusion Initiative

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.

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Barrister of the Year

This award recognises a barrister who has made a significant contribution to improving inclusion at the Bar.

The recipient will demonstrate excellence in advocacy alongside a clear commitment to driving change within chambers, the wider profession, or the community.

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Organisation

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.

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In-House Lawyer

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.

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Entires are now open!  Click here to download your nomination form.