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. In doing so she will be an inspiration for future leaders.
Law Firm Leader of the Year
Open to UK-based women in leadership positions within law firms
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. 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. In doing so she will be an inspiration for future leaders.
New Law Leader of the Year
Open to UK-based women in leadership positions at new law firms, which are also referred to as alternative legal service providers
The winner will be an exceptional leader, setting and delivering on strategic goals while also ensuring her organisation operates ethically and with integrity, guided by purpose and values. 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.
Unsung Hero
This award recognises that role models are needed at all levels of a business, not just people in senior management. It is open to UK-based women working within the legal sector who are not qualified lawyers and who are making an exceptional contribution to their businesses, guided by purpose and values.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rising Star
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. (https://www.euruni.edu/blog/what-makes-a-responsible-leader-in-business/)
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.
Responsible Legal Department of the Year
This award seeks to recognise diverse, sustainable and purposeful in-house legal teams. Open to UK-based in-house legal teams.
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 produce 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.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion of the Year
Open to UK-based individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the enhancement of DE&I within the legal sector in any 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.
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 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. 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.