Shortlist Announced 

We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the Women & Diversity in Law Awards.

Once again, the quality of the entries across all the categories has been exceptional and we extend sincere congratulations to all the finalists, which showcase the achievements of 170 individuals.

Spanning 35 categories, these awards honour outstanding women leaders and practitioners as well as the legal teams and businesses making significant strides in ensuring the UK legal profession is more equitable and reflective of the society in which it operates.

Secure your table and join us in London on 18 March as we celebrate the finalists and their achievements. The gala reception promises to be a unique and inspiring evening attended by colleagues from across the profession and hosted by a celebrity guest. Enjoy a welcome drinks reception, three-course dinner, and be the first to congratulate the winners!

Book your table by 7 February to benefit from the early bird rate – saving up to £200 on a table.

The awards are divided into three sections. In the first half, Outstanding Women Leaders and Outstanding Women Practitioners will be recognised. The second half addresses diversity more broadly, seeking to highlight the stand-out initiatives and individuals across its different strands. 

Last year’s awards in March featured 350 finalists, awards judges and other legal professionals, and were hosted by British actress Natalie Gumede.

Bar Council vice chair Barbara Mills KC was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Fieldfisher director Caron Heyes was named Woman of the Year, for her clinical negligence work supporting clients with injury-acquired learning difficulties, who often face unequal healthcare outcomes.

Team awards winners included Farrer & Co, which lifted the Age and Life Stage Initiative of the Year award for its menopause support initiative, created in response to a significant lack of awareness and understanding about menopause issues among lawyers, and the International Bar Association, which scooped the Gender Equality Initiative of the Year award for its hugely ambitious nine-year global project to uncover the root-causes of gender disparity at senior levels of the legal profession. 

Click here to read details for of the winning entries

For a third year, mental health charity LawCare is confirmed as the awards’ official charity, with its chief executive, Elizabeth Rimmer, joining the judging panel. 

New judges this year include Kate Richardson-Moore, director, diversity and talent, Linklaters, Lisa Ardley-Price, global co-chair of NatWest’s gender network, and Jane Livesey, an ADHD empowerment coach and neuro-inclusive transformation specialist. 

2024 Winners