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Welsh Law Awards 2026 – The Winners Are

On Friday 2^nd October the elite of the Welsh legal community gathered for the 8^th annual Welsh Law Awards. The WLA’s celebrate the very best of Welsh law firms and legal professionals.

The ceremony took place at Cardiff’s iconic Hilton Hotel and was hosted by one of Wales’s best-known broadcasters, Sara Edwards. Faced with an exceptionally strong field, the independent judges found the process incredibly challenging and once again introduced a “Silver Award Winner” to recognise the outstanding talent and achievements of the finalists.

The winners are as follows:

Commercial Law Services of the Year

• Winner – JCP Solicitors
• Silver – Harding Evans Solicitors

Conveyancer of the Year

• Winner – Natasha Bunclark – RDP Law
• Silver – Karen Gaywood – KG Conveyancing Ltd

 

Educational Law Services of the Year

• Winner – HCB Widows Mason
• Silver – Robertsons Solicitors

 

Employment Law Services of the Year

• Winner – Impact Lawyers Ltd
• Silver – Darwin Gray

Family Law Services of the Year

• Winner – First Line Family Law
• Silver – Hopkins Law

Office Manager

• Winner – Lisa Bradley – Price & Kelway
• Silver – Gemma Jones – RJM Solicitors

Paralegal of the Year

• Winner – Mikaeli Thomas – First Line Family Law
• Silver (Joint Silver) – Nicole Thomas – Dezrez Legal Ltd
• Silver (Joint Silver) – Chloe Howells – Alun Jones Family Law

 

Private Client Law Services of the Year

• Winner – Howells
• Silver – Darwin Gray

 

Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year

• Winner – David W Harris & Co Solicitors
• Silver – (Joint Silver) – Howells
• Silver – (Joint Silver) – Hopkins Law

Solicitor of the Year (+5 PQE)

• Winner – Rhys Palmer – Robertsons Solicitors
• Silver – Emma Hughes McEwan – Red Kite Law Ltd

 

Solicitor of the Year (1-4 PQE)

• Winner – Yasmin Dakher – Dudden Law Solicitors
• Silver – (Joint Silver) – Caitlyn Bennett – RDP Law
• Silver – (Joint Silver) – Aleksandra Szubka-Davies – Ungoed Thomas & King Solicitors

 

Trainee Solicitor of the Year

• Winner – Caitlyn Owens – RJM Solicitors
• Silver – James Horton – Price & Kelway Solicitors

Welsh Law Awards Champion 2026

• Winner – Impact Lawyers Ltd
• Silver – Natasha Bunclark – RDP Law

Victoria Hall, Co-founder, Impact Lawyers Commented, “We’re honoured and delighted that Impact Lawyers has been named Champion law firm at the Welsh Law Awards 2026. For a firm less than two years old and growing quickly, this is a great acknowledgement of our commitment to providing legal and business services differently, collaboratively, commercially and with the human in mind. Collaboration, integrity, innovation and Impact are our key values, and this is a testament to the hard work all our team have displayed in our journey so far. Thank you.”

WLA founder Wesley Skene said, “The Welsh Law Awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for the legal profession in Wales. Few honours carry greater distinction than being named a Welsh Law Awards winner. The calibre of this year’s finalists and winners confirms that Wales is a powerhouse of legal talent within the UK—talent that shapes our lives, strengthens our communities and makes a lasting contribution to our nation. Each year, we are proud to shine a spotlight on the exceptional law firms and legal professionals whose work does so much for Wales.”

The Welsh Law Awards would also like to thank our tremendous sponsors, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea Building Society, Hoowla, tm Group and DNA Legal.

 

Welsh Law Awards 2026 – The Finalists Are

The Welsh Law Awards are delighted to announce the 2026 Welsh Law Awards finalists

The WLAs celebrate the very best of Wales’s legal profession and its outstanding contribution to Welsh society. The black-tie gala awards ceremony will take place on Friday 2^nd October at the iconic Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, hosted by one of Welsh radio and television’s most popular presenters Sara Edwards.

The Nominees are as follows:

Commercial Law Services of the Year

• Harding Evans Solicitors
• JCP Solicitors
• Darwin Gray
• Dudden Law Solicitors
• RJM Solicitors

Conveyancer of the Year

• Natasha Bunclark – RDP Law
• Victoria Evans – Dezrez Legal Ltd
• Karen Gaywood – KG Conveyancing Ltd

Educational Law Services of the Year

• HCB Widows Mason
• Robertsons Solicitors

Employment Law Services of the Year

• Darwin Gray
• Impact Lawyers Ltd

Family Law Services of the Year

• Hopkins Law
• First Line Family Law
• Grant Stephens Family Law
• JCP Solicitors
• Robertsons Solicitors
• Howells

Office Manager

• Sarah Griffin – First Line Family Law
• Lisa Bradley – Price & Kelway
• Gemma Jones – RJM Solicitors

Paralegal of the Year

• Nicole Thomas – Dezrez Legal Ltd
• Chloe Howells – Alun Jones Family Law
• Mikaeli Thomas – First Line Family Law
• Yevgeny Whitehouse – Red Kite LLP
• Elizabeth Meyrick – RDP Law

Private Client Law Services of the Year

• JCP Solicitors
• Kirsty’s Law Ltd
• Hopkins Law
• Dudden Law Solicitors
• Ungoed-Thomas and King Solicitors
• Harding Evans
• Darwin Gray
• RDP Law
• Howells
• RJM Solicitors

Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year

• Hopkins Law
• HCB Widows Mason
• Dezrez Legal Ltd
• KG Conveyancing Ltd
• RDP Law
• Robertsons Solicitors
• David W Harris & Co Solicitors
• Howells
• RJM Solicitors

 Solicitor of the Year (+5 PQE)

• Kirsty Jones – Kirsty’s Law Ltd
• Rhys Palmer – Robertsons Solicitors
• Emma Hughes – McEwan – Red Kite Law Ltd

Solicitor of the Year (1-4 PQE)

• Yasmin Dakher – Dudden Law Solicitors
• Caitlyn Bennett – RDP Law
• Aleksandra Szubka-Davies – Ungoed Thomas & King Solicitors
• Kieran Palfrey – Red Kite Law Ltd

 Trainee Solicitor of the Year

• James Horton – Price & Kelway Solicitors
• Ella Vine – Alun Jones Family Law
• Danielle Howard – Robertsons Solicitors
• Daniel Parkinson – RDP Law
• Caitlan Owen – RJM Solicitors

Founder of the Welsh Law Awards, Wesley Skene, said, “We are incredibly proud of our 2026 finalists. This year, we received more applications from law firms and legal professionals than ever before, demonstrating that the Welsh Law Awards remain Wales’s most prestigious and successful law awards. Being named a WLA winner is the ultimate accolade, and we look forward to welcoming all the nominees in October.”

Tickets for the awards are now on sale at www.welshlawawards.co.uk

Applications Now Open for Welsh Law Awards 2026

The Welsh Law Awards are delighted to announce that applications are now open for the 9^th annual Welsh Law Awards

The awards will be held on Friday 2nd of October at the Hilton Hotel, located in the heart of Cardiff city centre. Hosted by Sara Edwards one of Welsh Television and radio’s most popular presenters, the awards will highlight the breadth and quality of talent within Wales’s Law industry.

Awards founder Wesley Skene said, “As we enter our 9th year, the Welsh Law Awards are proud to celebrate the ability, innovation, and dedication present in Wales’s legal sector.”

 “The awards recognise individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond in their work, serving communities and business across Wales. We encourage firms and individuals to submit their applications for the awards and join us in recognising the best of what this industry has to offer.”

The categories for 2026 are as follows:

• Commercial Law Services of the Year
• Employment Law Services of the Year
• Family Law Services of the Year
• Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year
• Educational Law Services of the Year
• Conveyancer of the Year
• Trainee Solicitor of the Year
• Legal Apprentice of the Year
• Office Manager of the Year
• Solicitor of the Year (1-4 Years)
• Solicitor of the Year (+5 Years)
• Paralegal of the Year
• Legal PA of the Year
• Innovation & Technology in Law
• Private Client Law Services of the Year
• Welsh Law Awards – Champion 2026 (Drawn from the winners of the categories above)

The 2026 awards are proudly sponsored by The University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Hoowla and Swansea Building Society.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 28^th August, 2026. Nominees will be officially announced on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026.

Full details of the awards and a downloadable application pack are available at

www.welshlawawards.co.uk

 

 

Welsh Law Awards 2025 – The Winners Are

Thursday 9^th October witnessed the spectacular 7^th annual Welsh Law Awards. Celebrating the very best of the Welsh legal community.

The Welsh law community gathered for the biggest and most successful Welsh Law Awards yet. Held at the iconic Hitlon Hotel – Cardiff and hosted by one of Welsh television and radio’s most popular broadcasters, Sara Edawards.

The 2025 awards were so fiercely competitive that the independent judging panel found the judging process incredibly challenging. As such, the judges introduced a “Silver Award Winner” to reflect and celebrate the immense talent of the finalists.

The winners of the 2025 Welsh Law Awards are as follows:

Commercial Law Services of the Year

• CJCH Solicitors – Winner
• Dudden Law Solicitors – Silver Award Winner

Conveyancer of the Year

• Rachael Clark – Dezrezlegal Limited – Winner
• Sarah Woods – JCP Solicitors – Silver Award Winner

Employment Law Services of the Year

• Darwin Gray LLP – Winner
• Berry Smith Lawyers – Silver Award Winner

Family Law Services of the Year

• Harding Evans Solicitors – Winner
• JCP Solicitors – Silver Award Winner

Legal PA of the Year

• Gemma Jones – RJM Solicitors – Winner
• Louise Goldsmith – James Jones Son & Francis – Silver Award Winner

Paralegal of the Year

• Victoria Holmes – JCP Solicitors – Winner
• Saskia Barnett – HCB Widows Mason – Silver Award Winner

Private Client Law Services of the Year

• RDP Law – Winner
• Darwin Gray LLP – Silver Award Winner

 Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year

• RJM Solicitors – Winner
• Dezrezlegal Limited – Silver Award Winner 

Solicitor of the Year

• Robert Price – HCB Widows Mason – Winner
• Danielle Pinocchi-Hall – CJCH Solicitors – Silver Award Winner

Student of the Year

• Mihaela Gavrila – University of Wales Trinity Saint David – Winner
• Alisha Ashmole – University of Wales Trinity Saint David – Winner

Contribution to Welsh Law & Society

• Andrew Baraclough – HCB Widows Mason

Welsh Law Awards Champion 2025

• Darwin Gray LLP

Founder of the Welsh Law Awards – Wesley Skene noted, “It’s clear that Welsh law firms are leading the way in the United Kingdom. They are changing and shaping the lives of communities across Wales and the UK. Every year, the Welsh legal community grows larger and more influential whilst being a core contributor to the Welsh economy. It’s an incredible privilege to recognise and celebrate the talent that Wales has. The Welsh Law Awards is the ultimate accolade of achievement and there is no better reward than being crowned the best in your field.”

The Welsh Law Awards would also like to thank our tremendous sponsors, University of Wales Trinity Saint David – Feature Sponsor. With event sponsors – Swansea Building Society, Hoowla, tm Group and DNA Legal.

 

Welsh Law Awards 2025 – The Nominees Are

We are delighted to announce the nominees for the 2025 Welsh Law Awards. Since 2019 the Welsh Law Awards have grown each year with the number and standard of applications.

However, 2025 is a year like no other, the number and standard of applications have broken all previous records. It’s clear that Wales is leading the way in the UK legal community, with Welsh law firms being a cornerstone of the UK economy and society.

The Nominees are as follows:

Commercial Law Services of the Year

• Darwin Gray LLP
• Robertsons IP
• Berry Smith Lawyers
• Harding Evans Solicitors
• CJCH Solicitors
• Dudden Law Solicitors
• GS Verde Group
• Joanne Fisher Law
• JCP Solicitors

 Conveyancer of the Year

• Phil Evans – RJM Solicitors
• Tracy Stogdon – HCB Widows Mason
• Rachael Clark – Dezrezlegal Limited
• Sarah Woods – JCP Solicitors
• Natasha Bunclark – RDP Law

Employment Law Services of the Year

• Darwin Gray LLP
• Berry Smith Lawyers
• GS Verde Group

Family Law Services of the Year

• HCB Widows Mason
• James Jones Son & Francis
• Harding Evans Solicitors
• JCP Solicitors
• Dudden Law Solicitors
• Endeavour Law Limited
• First Line Family Law

Legal PA of the Year

• Charlotte Fagergard – Robertsons IP
• Joanne Powell – Eversheds Sutherland
• Gemma Jones – RJM Solicitors
• Llinos Davies – James Jones Son & Francis
• Louise Goldsmith – James Jones Son & Francis
• Lynn Pembery – Eversheds Sutherland
• Joanne Allen – Eversheds Sutherland
• Kath Mcpherson – Eversheds Sutherland
• Lisa Buss – Eversheds Sutherland
• Sarah Griffin – First Line Family Law

Paralegal of the Year

• Saskia Barnett – HCB Widows Mason
• Victoria Holmes – JCP Solicitors
• Amelia Furlong – Future PLC – Gocompare.com Ltd

 Private Client Law Services of the Year

• Darwin Gray
• James Jones Son & Francis
• Harding Evans Solicitors
• Hennah Haywood Law
• RDP Law
• Red Kite Law LLP
• Kirsty’s Law Ltd
• RJM Solicitors 

Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year

• RJM Solicitors
• James Jones Son & Francis
• HCB Widows Mason
• ntitle Ltd
• JCP Solicitors
• Dezrezlegal Limited
• CJCH Solicitors
• Gateway 2 Conveyancing
• RDP Law
• Hennah Haywood Law

 Solicitor of the Year

• Danielle Pinnocci-Hall – CJCH Solicitors
• Sian Price-Davies – James Jones Son & Francis
• Rob Price – HCB Widows Mason
• Abbie Baker – Berry Smith Lawyers
• Sara Reynolds – James Jones Son & Francis

 Founder of the Welsh Law Awards, Wesley Skene said, “We would like to congratulate the 2025 Welsh Law Awards nominees. You are the leading lights in the Welsh legal sector, spearheading Wales’s economic growth, whilst shaping the society we live in. We are very much looking forward to celebrating with everyone on the 9^th October at the black tie gala ceremony.” 

Tickets for the awards are now on sale at www.welshlawawards.co.uk

 

Welsh Law Awards 2024 – The Winners Are

The Welsh Law Awards is delighted to announce the winners of the 2024 Welsh Law Awards.

The elite of the Welsh legal community gathered on Thursday 17^th October at the Hilton Hotel – Cardiff for the 5^th Welsh Law Awards.

The Welsh Law Awards are Wales’s most successful and prestigious awards. It celebrates the achievements and contribution the Welsh legal community makes to Welsh society, and its economy.

The winners are as follows:

• Commercial Law Services of the Year: Gomer Williams & Co Ltd
• Family Law Services of the Year: Wendy Hopkins Family Law
• Residential & Conveyancing Law Services of the Year: JCP Solicitors
• Solicitor of the Year (1-4 Years): Daniel Ellis Taylor – Blake Morgan LLP
• Solicitor of the Year (5+ Years): Ryan Owen – RJM Solicitors
• Paralegal of the Year: Alex Low – Grant Stephens Family Law
• Legal PA of the Year: Sharon Jervis – Eversheds Sutherland LLP
• South Wales Law Awards Champion 2024: Daniel Ellis Taylor – Blake Morgan LLP

Founder of the Welsh Law Awards – Wesley Skene said, “2024’s awards was the most successful yet, with a standard and volume of applications that surpassed anything in our 5 year history. Our independent judging panel found it incredibly difficult to choose the winners.”

The awards would like to take the time to thank its tremendous sponsors – Flotek Group, Conveyancing Data Services, Swansea Building Society, One Stop Searches and TSR Legal Recruitment.  We would also like to say a special thank you to our independent judging panel:

• Bronwen Williams JP MStJ – Academic Director Law Criminology and Policing at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David
• Jay Ball – CEO – Flotek Group
• Richard Miles – Swansea Building Society – Head of Savings / Area Manager (East) who spent a considerable time deliberating on the winning nominees.

The independent judging panel spent many hours deliberating and found the process incredibly tough, with every nominee a true inspiration.

The evening was also an opportunity to raise funds for Dreams and Wishes. A charity that does such great work and is dedicated to helping seriously ill children by making their dreams and wishes come true. £510 was raised on the night.

Welsh Law Awards 2024 – The Nominees Are

The Welsh Law Awards is delighted to announce the nominees for the 2024 Welsh Law Awards Awards. In the 5 years since the launch of the awards, there has been a yearly increase in the standard and volume of applications.

However, 2024 has been a year that is simply extraordinary. It’s clear that despite all of the economic challenges, Wales is a country and an economy that is beyond resilient.

The Nominees are as follows:

Commercial Law Services of the Year

• • GS Verde Law
  • Gomer Williams & Co Ltd
  • Hek Jones Solicitors

Family Law Services of the Year

• • JCP Solicitors
  • Grant Stephenson Family Law
  • First Line Family Law
  • Gomer Williams & Co Ltd
  • Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice

Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year

• • inCase Ltd
  • RJM Solicitors
  • Stephens Wilmot Solicitors
  • VM Law
  • Hek Jones Solicitors
  • JCP Solicitors

Solicitor of the Year (1-4 Years)

• • Samantha Williams – HCB Widdows Mason Ltd
  • Daniel Ellis Taylor – Blake Morgan
  • Bethan Tapper – Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice

Solicitor of the Year (+5 Years)

• • Andrew Barrowclough – HCB Widows Mason Ltd
  • Simon Adshead – Stephens Wilmot Solicitors
  • Grant Stephens – Grant Stephens Family Law
  • Ryan Owen – RJM Solicitors
  • Alexandra Jenkins – Hek Jones Solicitors

Paralegal of the Year

• • Daniel Hobden – HCB Widows Mason Ltd
  • Aimee Wright – Stephens Wilmot Solicitors
  • Alex Low – Grant Stephens Family Law

Legal PA of the Year

• • Sharon Jervis – Eversheds Sutherland LLP
  • Laurie Briggs – VM Law
  • Anne-Marie Adams – Robertsons Solicitors
  • Aimee Wright – Stephens Wilmot Solicitors
  • Angella Mattesa – Eversheds Sutherland LLP
  • Sarah Griffin – First Line Family Law

Private Client Law Services of the Year

• • RJM Solicitors
  • Stephens Wilmot Solicitors
  • VM Law

The Welsh Law Awards would like to thank all those who have applied and those that have been nominated.

 

Welsh Law Awards 2023 – The Nominees Are

The Welsh Law Awards is delighted to announce the nominees for the 2023 Welsh Law Awards. The number and standard of applications have been incredible, making the short-listing process very difficult and competitive.

The nominees are as follows:

Commercial Law Services of the Year

• Howells Solicitors
• Berry Smith Lawyers
• Tennant IP Limited

Residential Conveyancing Law Services of the Year

• Dezrezlegal Limited
• Howells Solicitors
• inCase Ltd
• JCP Solicitors
• Robertsons Solicitors

Employment Law Services of the Year

• Howells Solicitors
• Berry Smith Lawyers

Family Law Services of the Year

• Hutchinson Thomas Solicitors
• First Line Family Law
• Robertsons Solicitors
• RLE Law

Paralegal of the Year

• Rebecca Tyrrell – Dezrezlegal Limited
• Beverly Cook – RLE Law
• Shani Newberry – Dezrezlegal Limited

Personal Injury Law Services of the Year

• Howells Solicitors
• JCP Solicitors

Pro Bono Law Services of the Year

• Emma Selfridge – Emma Selfridge Lawyer
• Richard Garner – Davies and Davies Solicitors
• Sarah Dodd – Tree Law

 

Solicitor of the Year

• Ceri Boland – First Line Family Law
• Dan Dowen – Berry Smith Lawyers
• Richard Davies – First Line Family Law
• Sarah Dodd – Tree Law

 

The Wendy Hopkins Contribution to Welsh Society – TBA!!

 

The Welsh Law Awards would like to congratulate all those that have been nominated and thank everyone who took the time and effort to apply. We are very much looking forward to celebrating with the winners and nominees alike May 10^th at the Hilton Hotel, on what will once again be Wales’s leading law awards ceremony.

Wesley Skene

Welsh Law Awards