SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2023 WALES LEGAL AWARDS

The Wales Legal Awards are proud to announce the 2023 shortlist of nominees which highlight the exceptional talent and dedication within the Welsh legal sector,

Now in its fifth year, the awards recognise excellence across a spectrum of legal practice areas and celebrates the achievements of legal teams and individuals who have not only navigated the complexities of the law but have also provided outstanding service to their clients and communities.

The 2023 shortlist features a diverse array of legal firms, teams, and individuals, all of whom have demonstrated innovation, expertise, and commitment to their field. The categories include and several team-based awards such as “Family Law Team of the Year” and “Employment Team of the Year” as well as individual awards such as “Legal PA of the Year” and “Rising Star of the Year”. The business of law will also be recognised with a new set of awards including “Excellence in legal management” and “Marketing and Business Development Award”.

Charlotte Leyshon, founder of the Wales Legal Awards said ‘”We are delighted to shine a spotlight on those teams that have made a significant impact in their field and have set new benchmarks for excellence in the sector across Wales. I am looking forward to discussing all of these applications with our amazing panel of judges next week and making the difficult decision of choosing one winner for each category from so many superb entries”

Chairman of the judging panel, Professor Dylan Jones-Evans said “Yet again, the calibre of entries this year has been incredibly impressive, showcasing the talent and adaptability of Welsh legal professionals amidst a year of unprecedented challenges. As well as celebrating the best of the Welsh legal profession, I am delighted that we will be recognising the incredible contribution of one outstanding individual who has done so much not only for the legal sector in Wales but across the UK and globally”.

All of the winners will be announced at the black-tie awards ceremony scheduled for Friday November 24th at the Mercure Hotel in Cardiff which promises to be a night of celebration, reflecting on the industry’s successes and the outstanding contributions of all of the individuals and teams shortlisted.

This year, the Wales Legal Awards are proud to support CF Warriors, a small Welsh charity dedicated to helping children with cystic fibrosis, no matter where they are in the world, live a longer, happier and healthier life through its research funding and motivational Warrior Pack programmes.

The shortlisted teams and individuals are:

Commercial Litigation Team of the year

• Geldards LLP
• Harding Evans

Corporate and Commercial Team of the Year

• Darwin Gray
• GS Verde Law
• JCP Solicitors

Employment Team of the Year

• Berry Smith
• Darwin Gray
• Geldards

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award

• ME Law
• Ladies of Law
• Thompsons Solicitors

Excellence in Legal Management Award

• Gomer Williams and Co
• RDP Law

Family Law Team of the Year

• First Line Family Law
• Gomer Williams and Co
• Harding Evans
• Robertsons Solicitors
• Stowe Family Law

Law Firm of the Year

• CJCH Solicitors
• Gamlins Law
• GS Verde Law
• RDP Law
• Redkite Solicitors
• Watkins & Gunn

Legal Personal Assistant of the Year

• Claire Dutton – Eversheds Sutherland
• Dannielle Howard – Robertsons Solicitors
• Sharon Jervis – Eversheds Sutherland
• Natalie Walker – Sort Legal Ltd
• Mary Williams – Reeds Solicitors

Marketing and Business Development Award

• First Line Family Law
• GS Verde Law
• Harding Evans
• Mooneerams Solicitors
• Robertsons Solicitors

Niche Law Firm of the Year

• First Line Family Law
• Mooneerams Solicitors
• Newfields Law
• Stowe Family Law

Private Client Team of the Year

• Blake Morgan
• Harding Evans
• Harrison Clark Rickerbys
• Hopkins Law
• Redkite Solicitors

Professional Services Provider of the Year

• Brightlink Learning Ltd
• Forensic Resources
• Sweetmans and Partners
• The HR Dept South Wales

Public Law Team of the Year

• Blake Morgan
• Browne Jacobson
• CJCH Solicitors
• Harding Evans
• Reeds Solicitors

Real Estate Team of the Year

• Darwin Gray
• RDP Law
• RJM Solicitors

Residential Conveyancing Team of the Year

• CJCH Solicitors
• Harding Evans
• JCP Solicitors
• RDP Law
• Robertsons Solicitors

Rising Star of the Year

• Amber Ellis-Martin – RDP Law
• Eleri Griffiths – Browne Jacobson
• Abigail Jones – Stowe Family Law
• Rhianydd Llewellyn-Thomas – JCP Solicitors
• Rhiannon Phillips – Reeds Solicitors