Categories
To enter the Women and Diversity in Law Awards, please click on the category you wish to enter and follow the instructions. It’s free and simple to enter.
Entry Instructions
The awards are open to people working in any capacity in the UK legal sector, so long as they meet the category criteria. The same principle applies to organisations and teams.
Individuals may enter a maximum of three categories.
The awards recognise achievements in the period after September 2022, although it is understood that entries may touch on events prior to this date. For example a case may have started before then. Equally, a case may not be complete, but a significant landmark may have been reached during the time period.
Each category has its own instructions and criteria. Read these instructions carefully and take care to follow them.
When asked to provide evidence of success or achievement back up your narrative with evidence which will typically contain metrics. At the same time, set out to inspire the judges with a well-told story that paints a three-dimensional portrait of the individual, team, or business.
The entry forms have strict word limits. In order to ensure an equitable process — and streamline judging for our busy panel of judges — entrants must use the online form.
Supporting evidence
One piece of supporting evidence is permitted. However, remember that the judges are only likely to take this into account if they are impressed by the entry.
Links
It isn’t possible to include html links in the online form. These can be added to the supporting document.
Confidentiality
Clearly marked, confidential information will be respected.
Category selection
The organisers reserve the right to move entries to different categories if it is felt these are more appropriate.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Lifetime Achievement Award
Outstanding Women Leaders
Woman of the Year
Open to UK-based women operating within the legal sector in any capacity
This award recognises exceptional achievement by a woman in the legal profession. This could be due to a particular project/campaign/case/deal or it could reflect achievement in a particular role, such as the leader of a legal business. She will demonstrate skill, judgement, leadership and integrity and be guided by purpose and values, including a demonstrable commitment to furthering diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). In doing so she will be an inspiration for future leaders.
Law Firm Leader of the Year – Large Practice
Open to UK-based women in leadership positions within law firms with 50 or more partners. The winner will be an exceptional leader, setting and delivering on strategic goals while also ensuring the business operates ethically and with integrity, guided by purpose and values, including a demonstrable commitment to furthering DE&I. In doing so she will be an inspiration for future leaders.
Law Firm Leader of the Year – Small-to-Medium-Sized Practice
Open to UK-based women in leadership positions within law firms with less than 50 partners. The winner will be an exceptional leader, setting and delivering on strategic goals while also ensuring the business operates ethically and with integrity, guided by purpose and values including a demonstrable commitment to furthering DE&I. In doing so she will be an inspiration for future leaders.
General Counsel of the Year
Open to UK-based general counsel. The winner will be an exceptional leader, setting and delivering on strategic goals while also ensuring her team and organisation operates ethically and with integrity, guided by purpose and values, including a demonstrable commitment to furthering DE&I. In doing so she will be an inspiration for future leaders.
Innovator of the Year
Open to UK-based women how are playing a leading role in modernising how law is delivered, this could be in a legal service provider or a supplier.
The winner will in a definable way broken new ground in the delivery of legal services. This could be due to a particular project/campaign/case/deal or it could reflect achievement in a particular role. She will demonstrate skill, judgement, leadership and integrity and be guided by purpose and values, , including a demonstrable commitment to furthering DE&I.
Unsung Hero
This is one of two awards that recognise the contribution being made to the legal profession by women in non-legal roles (see also Unsung Hero in a Leadership Role). This award acknowledges that role models are needed at all levels of a business and is open to UK-based women in non-legal roles and who are guided by purpose and values. (See also, for qualified lawyers, the Rising Star categories in the Outstanding Women Practitioners section)
Returner of the Year
Open to UK-based women who have successfully returned to work after maternity leave or a career break. This award recognises the challenges associated with returning to work. In doing so, it is hoped that best practice can be gathered and collated for future returners.
Outstanding Women Practitioners
Dealmaker of the Year
Open to UK-based women transactional lawyers who have made an exceptional contribution to the legal profession through the quality of their legal work and their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
This category requires the entrant to focus on a standout matter that exemplifies the quality of her work.
The winner will have provided an outstanding result for her client and provide evidence of technical legal excellence, innovation, leadership and client satisfaction as well as to furthering DE&I.
Disputes lawyer of the Year
Open to UK-based women disputes lawyers who have made an exceptional contribution to the legal profession through the quality of their legal work and their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). This category requires the entrant to focus on a particular case that exemplifies the quality of her work. The winner will have provided an outstanding result for her client and provide evidence of technical legal excellence, innovation, leadership and client satisfaction as well as to furthering DE&I.
Advocate of the Year
Open to UK-based women advocates who have made an exceptional contribution to the legal profession both through the quality of their legal work and their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I).
This category requires the entrant to focus on a particular case that exemplifies the quality of her work. The winner will have provided an outstanding result for her client and provide evidence of technical legal excellence, innovation, leadership and client satisfaction as well as to furthering DE&I.
Commercial Lawyer of the Year
Open to UK-based women commercial lawyers who have made an exceptional contribution to the legal profession through the quality of their legal work and their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). Commercial is broadly defined as not related to deals, disputes or advocacy, for example employment, pensions, private client or family. This category requires the entrant to focus on a particular matter that exemplifies the quality of her work. The winner will have provided an outstanding result for her client and provide evidence of technical legal excellence, innovation, leadership and client satisfaction as well as to furthering DE&I.
In-house Counsel of the Year
Open to UK-based women in-house lawyers who have made an exceptional contribution to the legal profession through the quality of their legal work and their promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). This category requires the entrant to focus on a particular matter that exemplifies the quality of her work.
The winner will have provided an outstanding result for her client and provide evidence of technical legal excellence, innovation, leadership and client satisfaction as well as to furthering DE&I.
Rising Star – Large Law Firm
Open to UK-based women lawyers within law firms with 50 or more partners who have made exceptional starts to their legal careers through their legal work with the promise to be future leaders in their fields. Nominees must have no more than six years of post-qualification experience.
Rising Star – Small-to-Medium-Sized Practice
Open to UK-based women lawyers within law firms with less than 50 partners who have made exceptional starts to their legal careers through their legal work with the promise to be future leaders in their fields. Nominees must have no more than six years of post-qualification experience.
Rising Star – In-house Lawyer
Open to UK-based women lawyers who have made exceptional starts to their legal careers through their legal work with the promise to be future leaders in their fields. Nominees must have no more than six years of post-qualification experience.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Responsible Leader of the Year
This award seeks to identify people who are successfully leading diverse, sustainable and purposeful organisations. Open to UK-based leaders operating within the legal sector. Click here to read What Makes a Responsible Leader in Business, by the EU Business School.
Responsible Business of the Year
This award seeks to recognise diverse, sustainable and purposeful legal businesses. Open to UK-based businesses operating within the legal sector. These may include law firms, new law companies, barristers’ chambers and suppliers.
The University of Birmingham’s Business School defines a responsible business as one ‘that considers society, economy and environment’. It adds: ‘These businesses are not only driven by profit, but also by a desire to improve life around the world by providing environmentally safe, ethical and equal working conditions and products.’
The winner will demonstrate to the judges an exemplary commitment towards being a responsible business and demonstrable progress towards achieving this goal.
Not for Profit Organisation of the Year
Open to UK-based not-for-profit organisations operating within the legal sector. This award seeks to recognise a charity, campaign group or professional body which, through its activities, has advanced the cause of DE&I within the legal sector.
Supplier of the Year
This award seeks to recognise the positive impact products and services are having in helping to advance the DE&I cause. Open to UK-based suppliers to the legal sector.
This award requires entrants to focus on a particular product or service that has been an outstanding success during the award period. Please be sure to include hard evidence of success, including an explanation of how the product moves the DE&I needle.
DE&I Champion of the Year in a Specialist Role
Open to UK-based individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the enhancement of DE&I within the legal sector in a specialist DE&I capacity. This award recognises individuals who have made a difference through their vision, dedication and capacity to inspire others. They can be at any level of seniority and can be team members as well as leaders.
DE&I Champion of the Year in a Legal Role
Open to UK-based women who have made an exceptional contribution to the enhancement of DE&I within the legal sector. This award recognises individuals who do not have a specialist DE&I role, and who have made a difference through their vision, dedication and capacity to inspire others. They can be at any level of seniority and can be team members as well as leaders.
Mentor of the Year
Open to UK-based individuals working in any capacity within the legal sector. This award recognises the vital importance of mentorship in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the legal profession. The mentor of the year will be someone who inspires others to be the best they can be, helping them to overcome obstacles that put them at a disadvantage when compared to colleagues and therefore achieve their full potential. This category requires entrants to focus on a specific example of mentorship in action.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programme of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise a DE&I programme in its entirety. The judges will be looking for evidence of planning, implementation and success.
Age and Life Stage Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to age and life stage. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Disability and/or Neurodiversity Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to disability and/or neurodiversity. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Environmental Sustainability Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to environmental sustainability. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Faith Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to faith. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Gender Equality Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to gender equality. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
LGBT+ Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to LGBT+. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to mental health and wellbeing. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Race Equality Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to race equality. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.
Social mobility Initiative of the Year
Open to UK teams, businesses and institutions operating within the UK legal sector in any capacity. This award sets out to recognise an initiative that has successfully promoted diversity, equity and inclusion related to social mobility. It can be a single initiative or programme and it can relate to the business – for example a recruitment programme – or it can be community related. The judges will be looking for evidence of successful planning, implementation and ultimate success.