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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

The Judges Are!

The South Wales Law Awards is delighted to announce the judging panel for the 2021 South Wales Law Awards.

The South Wales Law Awards has assembled the leading law and commercial experts to form the “Independent Judging Panel”. They include:

Holly Evans – Solicitor & Academic Subject Manager for Law at USW

Hannah Menard – Director of the Legal Advice Clinic – USW

Karen Jones   – Director of TSR Legal Recruitment

Richard Miles – Swansea Building Society – Head of Savings / Area Manager (East)

Oliver Pughe – Financial Planner – Penguin

Holly Evans – Solicitor & Academic Subject Manager for Law at USW is excited to be part of these awards to celebrate the success of our legal talent in South Wales.  This has been a challenging year, but the legal sector has continued to provide an excellent service.  Given my role at USW, the students see the nominees as role models and aspire to one day have such successful legal careers.

Karen Jones, Director at TSR Legal Recruitment, said: “I’m delighted that we are once again supporting the South Wales Law Awards. The legal community in Wales has been a shining light in the last few years. The Welsh legal sector will be one of the key economic and social drivers as we move forward post COVID.

Richard Miles – Swansea Building Society – Head of Savings / Area Manager (East) said: Swansea Building Society is incredibly proud to be a part of the South Wales Law Awards. As an organisation we see every day the outstanding work and service the legal sector provides to Wales. We are very much looking forward to seeing everyone at the gala awards dinner in September.

Oliver Pughe – Financial Planner – Penguin said: It is wonderful to be a part of the South Wales Law Awards. At Penguin, we focus on protecting and growing our clients’ assets day in day out. We are in many respects kindred spirits with the legal community. After the challenges of 2020, we can’t wait for the awards ceremony in September.

Wesley Skene – Founder of the South Wales Law Awards said, 2020 has been one of the most challenging and difficult years we have ever faced. The legal community has persevered to deliver a world class service in spite of this. It is only right that we have assembled the best and most talented independent judging panel for the awards.”

The South Wales Law Awards gala dinner will be held on Friday 24^th September at the Hilton Hotel – Cardiff. Tickets are available at www.southwaleslawawards.co.uk

South Wales Law Awards – New Date Announced

The South Wales Law Awards is delighted to announce Friday 24^th September 2021 at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, for the second annual South Wales Law Awards.

After the enormous success of the inaugural South Wales Law Awards in 2019, the 2020 awards were on course to be an even bigger and better occasion. However, despite the successful rollout of the vaccine and infections decreasing, it’s still not possible or safe to hold the awards.

Sara Edwards, one of Welsh Television and Radio’s most popular presenters, will once again present the awards, at the iconic Hilton Hotel.

Wesley Skene – South Wales Law Awards Founder said, “2019 was the legal event of the social calendar. The Pandemic required us to delay the 2020 awards ceremony, and the ongoing crisis has again caused a further rescheduling. The 2021 applications process was incredibly successful, and we have broken all records for applications. In 2020, it seems as if every awards ceremony was held online. After nearly a year of rolling lockdowns this way of life is no longer acceptable. We hear of the “New Normal” being spoken of time and time again. The only “New Normal” we should accept is the return to the “Old Normal”. As such, we will postpone the awards until a time that we can all be together and enjoy the success of a hugely important community. The South Wales Law Awards this September will be a fantastic occasion and one that I’m sure we’re all looking forward to.