A new era for Wales’ legal sector: Celebrating excellence, innovation & impact
A new era for Wales’ legal sector: Celebrating excellence, innovation & impact
The Welsh legal sector stepped into the spotlight this June with the inaugural Legal News Wales Awards – an evening that did far more than recognise professional achievement. Held at the Cardiff Marriott Hotel, the sold-out event brought together leaders from across Wales’ legal landscape to celebrate the business of law and the people transforming its future.
Hosted by journalist and broadcaster Sian Lloyd, and powered by Legal News Wales – the sector’s independent voice – the awards ceremony marked a bold new chapter in recognising legal talent in Wales. More than a trophy collection, the evening became a rallying call: for a sector that is entrepreneurial, community-minded and central to the nation’s civic and economic fabric.
We’re not just hosting an awards ceremony – we’re celebrating a movement. These awards reflect a legal sector that is dynamic, socially responsible, and essential to Wales’ future.
Our mission resonated throughout the evening, with keynote speeches from the Counsel General for Wales, Julie James MS, and Mark Evans, Vice President of The Law Society of England & Wales, emphasising the increasingly strategic role of legal professionals in Wales’ economic development, innovation ecosystems, and social justice agenda.
Mark offered a sobering message to guests, explaining that while banks and other institutions have left the high street, law firms remain, playing a key, visible role in in local communities and delivering real social value in Wales as well as diverse legal solutions and employing local people.
Headline sponsor, TSR Legal Recruitment, underscored this point. Karen Jones, Director, praised the sector’s openness and strength:
“It’s fantastic to see legal service providers sharing both their successes and the challenges they face. The talent and opportunity across Wales make it one of the go-to legal hubs in the UK.”
The awards programme recognised excellence across categories such as innovation, leadership, culture, social impact and entrepreneurship – all underpinned by the profession’s wider influence on public life and business resilience.
The finalists were judged through written submissions and a series of in-person interviews with an independent judging panel, formed of experts from a diverse range of backgrounds, including entrepreneurship, business, finance, DEI, marketing, regulation, digital transformation and sector bodies and membership organisations. The winners were elected with merit and everyone involved in the programme should be rightly proud of their achievements.
Honouring a Legal Hero
One of the evening’s most emotional moments was the presentation of the first Legal Hero Wales award – a unique accolade honouring an individual whose legacy reflects the highest standards of the profession. The judges named Glyn Maddocks KC as the 2025 recipient.
The award paid tribute to Glyn’s lifelong fight against miscarriages of justice.
Glyn’s impact goes far beyond the courtroom. He’s advised on law reform, inspired generations, and given voice to the voiceless.
Having worked on landmark cases and dedicated over two decades to clients such as Oliver Campbell – whose wrongful conviction was quashed in 2024 – Glyn’s story epitomises the values the awards seek to uphold. Legal News Wales will feature an in-depth interview with Glyn later this summer.
Building a National Platform
The awards also marked the beginning of something bigger. I announced plans for a showcase of winners and finalists during Wales Week London 2026 – positioning Wales’ legal community on a national and international stage.
Legal professionals in Wales don’t just navigate complex systems — they make them better. At the awards, I called upon the sector to use this momentum to attract new talent and new opportunities for our sector.
To support this, Legal News Wales will run a series of podcasts and events spotlighting finalists’ work, encouraging sector-wide collaboration and learning.
Supporting Sector Wellbeing
The awards also aligned with LawCare as Charity of the Year, supporting the mental wellbeing of legal professionals. As conversations around burnout and wellbeing continue across the business community, this partnership reinforced the importance of building sustainable legal careers.
As Wales’ legal sector continues to evolve, the Legal News Wales Awards have set a new standard – one that highlights not only success, but the deeper impact of legal work on lives, communities, and the wider economy. The message is clear: the business of law in Wales is open, ambitious, and ready to lead.
Legal News Wales Awards 2025 – The Winners
Following a landmark evening celebrating innovation, excellence and purpose-driven legal practice, we are proud to present the winners of the inaugural Legal News Wales Awards 2025.
These individuals, teams and organisations represent the very best of the legal sector in Wales – those who not only deliver outstanding legal services, but do so in ways that inspire change, strengthen communities, and help shape the future of the profession.
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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 the 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 South East, South West and Mid
WINNER: Eve Piffaretti, Blake Morgan LLP
Legal Entrepreneur of the Year (Special recognition award)
Supported by Mastering Diversity
WINNER: Glyn Lloyd, Newfields
Legal Hero Wales Award
Supported by TSR Legal Recruitment
WINNER: Glyn Maddocks KC
