Welcome to the Manchester Legal Awards

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their entries across our 22 categories. Secure your place now – book your tickets today!

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The shortlist is announced for the 2026 Manchester Legal Awards!

Thank you to everyone who entered this year’s Manchester Legal Awards, the entries were of an exceptionally high standard. Congratulations to those who made the shortlist, which you can find below.

The awards culminate in a black-tie ceremony on Thursday 2^nd July at the iconic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester – a night of recognition, networking, and celebration.

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The 2026 Manchester Legal Awards shortlist

Barrister/KC of the Year

Abigail Bennett, JMW Solicitors LLP
Natasha Khalique, Exchange Chambers
Martine Swinscoe, 18 St John Street Chambers

Barristers’ Chambers of the Year

Deans Court Chambers
Kings Chambers
St John’s Buildings Chambers
Unit Chambers

Corporate/Commercial Team of the Year

Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP
Myerson Solicitors

Corporate Culture and Wellbeing Champions of the Year

gunnercooke LLP
IMD Solicitors LLP
MLP Law Ltd
Myerson Solicitors

Crime Team of the Year

JMW Solicitors LLP
Olliers Solicitors
Slater Heelis Solicitors
Tuckers Solicitors North West

Employment Team of the Year

Brabners LLP
Government Legal Department (Employment Rights Team)
JMW Solicitors LLP
Lewis Silkin

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Champions of the Year

23ES
BCLP LLP
Fletchers Solicitors
Mills & Reeve LLP

Family Team of the Year

Hall Brown Family Law
IMD Solicitors LLP
JMW Solicitors LLP
Maguire Family Law

In-house Team of the Year

BAE Systems
Government Legal Department (Commercial Legal Group)
Government Legal Department (Employment Rights Team)
Peninsula Business Services Limited
Quint Group Limited

Large Law Firm of the Year (21+ partners nationally)

Brabners LLP
Hill Dickinson LLP
Myerson Solicitors
TLT LLP

Litigation Team of the Year

BCLP LLP
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
Kuits Solicitors
TLT LLP

Medium Law Firm of the Year (6-20 partners nationally)

Asserson
Hall Brown Family Law
IMD Solicitors LLP
Leonard Curtis Legal

Partner of the Year

Alex Barley, Slater Heelis Solicitors
Michael Chapman, JMW Solicitors LLP
Emma Cordock, Cartwright King Solicitors
Carol Couse, Mills & Reeve LLP
Claire Graham, TLT LLP

Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence Team of the Year

Farleys Solicitors
Fletchers Solicitors (Clinical Negligence Team)
Fletchers Solicitors (Personal Injury Team)
Manchester Arena Civil Litigation Team: Hudgell Solicitors, Slater and Gordon, Broudie Jackson Canter, Byrom Street Chambers, Temple Garden Chambers

Private Client Team of the Year

gunnercooke LLP
Hugh Jones Solicitors
JMW Solicitors LLP
Private Client Solicitors

Property Team of the Year

Beyond Corporate
Fieldfisher LLP
Gorvins Solicitors
Myerson Solicitors
TLT LLP

Regulatory Team of the Year

DAC Beachcroft
Eversheds Sutherland LLP
JMW Solicitors LLP
Stephensons Solicitors LLP

Small Law Firm of the Year (1-5 partners nationally)

Aequitas Legal
Eventum Legal
Irwell Law Limited
Latitude Law

Solicitor of the Year

Jenni Palmer, Government Legal Department
Elizabeth Ridley, Irwin Mitchell LLP
Georgina Tither, Fletchers Solicitors
Leigh Wright, Tuckers Solicitors North West

Trainee/Paralegal/Apprentice/Legal Executive of the Year

Isabella Farrell, Irwin Mitchell LLP
Josiah Morrone-Krawetz, TLT LLP
Zara Salmon, DWF Law LLP
Lydia Scales, Fletchers Solicitors
Katie Southern, Tuckers Solicitors North West
Phoebe Tiernan, McAlister Family Law

Unsung Hero of the Year

Laura Brooks, BCLP LLP
David Nash, Leonard Curtis Legal
Suzie Sutcliffe, Hugh James
Diane Towlson, Aequitas Legal

The Judges

We have selected a panel of highly successful and well respected individuals from the business, legal and academic community across the North West.

Alison Loveday

pro-manchester

Amanda Hedayati

Liverpool and Chester University of Law

Andrew Toolan

Invest Manchester

Anna Mee

BPP University

Deborah Walker

Manchester Building Society

Edward Smethurst

Prosperity Law LLP

Fran Eccles-Bech

Manchester Law Society

HHJ Nicholas Dean KC

Honorary Recorder of Manchester Resident Judge, Crown Court at Manchester

HHJ Richard Pearce

Acting Designated Civil Judge

Ian McConkey

Manchester Law Society, Weightmans LLP

John Hyde

Law Society Gazette

Lucy Mulligan

Greater Manchester Chamber

Martyn Best

Document Direct & Legal RSS

Michael Taylor

TheBusinessDesk.com

Mike Ode

Potential Unearthed

Paul Wingfield

William James Recruitment

Professor Andrew Francis

Manchester Metropolitan University

Ruth Shearn

RMS PR Marketing & Design

“It is an absolute privilege to judge these awards. The legal talent displayed by firms of all sizes is truly astonishing. It’s so lovely to see the winners clutching their awards on the big night!”

Ruth Shearn
Judge and founder, RMS PR Marketing & Design

“A tremendously energetic and fun way to celebrate the incredible presence of the legal sector in the city region. Behind the raucous pursuit of fun and frivolity is a deadly serious and very thorough judging process to decide who wins. Quite frankly, I’ve never been to an awards event quite like it.”

Michael Taylor
Editor, The Business Desk

“Always a fabulous event.”

Ruth Peters
Business development director, Olliers

“When we found out we’d been shortlisted, there was a spontaneous round of applause in the office. It was super.”

Sara Barrett
Partner, Mills & Reeve

“To say it’s the highlight of our year wouldn’t be overplaying the importance of this occasion.”

Richard Bacon
Head of sales and business development, Shard Capital

“We were delighted to win, especially given the other fantastic firms we were up against.”

Clare Campbell
Partner, Leigh Day

“I’m over the moon and really proud. I couldn’t be happier.”

Jack Trowsdale
Paralegal, DWF

“These awards epitomise everything that’s great about Manchester.”

Andrew Francis
Sponsor and deputy pro-vice chancellor, Manchester Law School

“We do some very difficult and emotive work.I’m very honoured and deeply touched to have received this award.”

Kelly Darlington
Farleys

“We’ve been nominated three times and are absolutely delighted to have won this year. It’s amazing and we are ecstatic.”

Iwona Durlak
Senior partner, IMD Solicitors

“It’s a major deal to be shortlisted, let alone win. Manchester is a hardcore legal centre and we’re thrilled to have won.”

James Brown
Senior partner, Hall Brown Family Law

“The most vibrant and packed awards event I’ve ever been to. It’s fantastic.”

Ele Lovering
Senior partner, Evershed Sutherland

“The awards recognise and celebrate the best legal talent. As a legal recruiter, I have the pleasure to witness the breadth of talent in the north west and it’s incredible we have an event which celebrates and brings the legal community together.”

Louis Rosenthal
Sponsor and managing director, Interlink Recruitment

“Really good to celebrate the talent we’ve got in Manchester.”

Carol Spiller
Partner, Weightmans