The Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026 brought together the region’s legal community on Thursday 8 October at New Dock Hall, Leeds, for an unforgettable evening recognising the outstanding achievements of Yorkshire’s law firms, legal teams and individual professionals.
From emerging legal talent and specialist practitioners to the region’s leading law firms, the ceremony celebrated the expertise, innovation, dedication and commitment to clients that continue to shape Yorkshire’s legal profession.
Hosted by award-winning comedian Suzi Ruffell, the evening saw 26 awards presented across a wide range of legal practice areas, recognising the individuals and organisations making an exceptional contribution to the profession.
Among the night’s biggest honours, Ashley Bradley of MJC Law was crowned Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year 2026, while Switalskis Solicitors, Blacks and Ridley and Hall Solicitors secured the coveted Law Firm of the Year awards in the Large, Medium and Small categories respectively.
It was also a particularly successful evening for several firms taking home multiple trophies. Broadway House Chambers, Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors, Ridley and Hall Solicitors and Weightmans LLP each celebrated two award wins, highlighting the breadth of legal talent across the region.
Celebrating the very best of Yorkshire’s legal profession
The winners were selected following a rigorous independent judging process, with entries assessed on the strength of their achievements, supporting evidence, client outcomes, innovation and contributions to the wider community.
The judging panel was chaired by Luke Corcoran, President of Leeds Law Society, alongside representatives from across the legal profession and academia.
This year’s awards once again demonstrated that excellence in Yorkshire’s legal sector extends far beyond legal expertise alone. From pro bono initiatives and community engagement to technological innovation, leadership and exceptional client care, the winning entries reflected the positive impact being made by legal professionals throughout the region.
Following the awards presentation, guests continued the celebrations with live entertainment from Hipster, bringing another memorable evening for Yorkshire’s legal community to a close.
Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026: Full List of Winners
Below are all 26 award winners, including category sponsors and the judges’ feedback that helped distinguish this year’s recipients.
Chambers of the Year
Winner: Broadway House Chambers
Judges’ comments: The judges were impressed by the chambers’ initiatives, supported by strong evidence that demonstrated the quality of its work and helped the winning submission stand out.
In-House Team of the Year
Sponsored by BW Legal Services Limited
Winner: Leeds Bradford Airport
Judges’ comments: The team was praised for its role as a strategic partner, helping shape the direction of its organisation. Excellent feedback reinforced the value and impact of its contribution.
In-House Lawyer of the Year
Winner: Ben Spencer – Zenith
Judges’ comments: This award recognises a lawyer whose expertise makes a vital contribution to organisational success, combining a commitment to excellence and innovation with a positive impact in the wider community.
Intellectual Property
Winner: Appleyard Lees
Judges’ comments: The winner demonstrated specialist expertise in protecting clients’ ideas, creativity and innovations. Its dedication to client care, forward-thinking approach and contribution to the wider community reflected excellence in intellectual property practice.
Lawtech Initiative of the Year
Sponsored by PEXA UK
Winner: BW Legal Services Limited
Judges’ comments: The winning initiative combined inventive technology with effective collaboration to benefit legal professionals and clients. Its ability to evolve alongside the changing needs of the sector was particularly noteworthy.
Trainee Solicitor of the Year
Winner: Beth Brayshaw – Stewarts
Judges’ comments: In an exceptionally competitive category, Beth impressed with exemplary skills, high-calibre work and compelling client testimonials. Her dedication to clients and colleagues, involvement in internal projects and commitment to fundraising distinguished her as an outstanding emerging talent.
Managing Partner of the Year
Sponsored by Miller Insurance
Winner: Rachel Di Clemente – Hudgell Solicitors
Judges’ comments: Rachel demonstrated outstanding leadership, a commitment to clients and a clear contribution to her firm’s growth. Her ability to create an environment where colleagues can thrive, alongside making a positive difference beyond the firm, highlighted her exceptional leadership.
Best ESG Campaign and Pro Bono Initiative
Winner: Ridley and Hall Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The judges praised a particularly strong, well-crafted entry, supported by concrete examples that clearly demonstrated the quality of the firm’s work and initiatives.
Corporate & Commercial
Winner: Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The firm demonstrated the ability to combine legal expertise with commercial understanding, helping clients navigate complex transactions and achieve their business ambitions. Its dedication to client care, innovative approach and wider community contribution reflected excellence in corporate and commercial practice.
Debt Recovery
Sponsored by Court Enforcement Services
Winner: Weightmans LLP
Judges’ comments: This award recognised the expertise, dedication to clients and innovative thinking demonstrated in debt recovery, alongside a commitment to making a positive difference beyond legal practice.
Niche Law Firm of the Year
Winner: Hall Brown Family Law
Judges’ comments: Hall Brown Family Law demonstrated its specialist expertise and commitment to clients through strong examples and compelling supporting evidence. The judges praised an entry that clearly showcased the calibre of the firm and its work.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Winner: Bailoran Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The firm demonstrated the calibre and commitment required to guide clients through complex disputes. The judges particularly praised its dedication to clients and outstanding work within the wider community.
Partner of the Year
Sponsored by SearchFlow
Winner: Katy Link – Fletchers Solicitors
Judges’ comments: In an exceptionally strong category, Katy stood out for her work on major cases, commercial insight and contribution to her firm’s growth. Her advocacy for mental health and longstanding recognition within her field helped secure the judges’ decision in a closely contested category.
Regulatory & Compliance
Winner: Eversheds Sutherland
Judges’ comments: In a category featuring exceptionally well-written submissions, the winner demonstrated the expertise and dedication needed to guide clients through complex regulatory challenges, combining outstanding client care with an innovative approach to legal services.
Private Client
Winner: Raworths
Judges’ comments: In an outstanding field that made the decision particularly challenging, Raworths demonstrated the expertise and dedication required to support clients through deeply personal and complex matters. Its commitment to client care and contribution to the wider community reflected the very best of private client practice.
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence
Sponsored by One Claims Management
Winner: Fletchers Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The winner combined legal expertise with dedication to supporting clients through some of life’s most challenging circumstances. Its commitment to client care, innovation and making a positive difference reflected the highest standards of personal injury and clinical negligence practice.
Family Law
Winner: Weightmans LLP
Judges’ comments: The firm impressed the judges with its handling of particularly challenging cases, supported by fantastic client feedback. Strong examples and clear supporting evidence demonstrated both its legal expertise and dedication to the people it supports.
Criminal Law
Winner: Broadway House Chambers
Judges’ comments: The judges were particularly impressed by the strong focus on public benefit, which stood out clearly throughout the winning entry.
Commercial Property
Winner: Brabners
Judges’ comments: Brabners combined technical expertise with a clear understanding of clients’ property ambitions, guiding them through complex transactions with care and commitment. Its approach to innovation and positive contribution to the wider community reflected outstanding commercial property practice.
Employment Law
Winner: Mills & Reeve LLP
Judges’ comments: The judges were impressed by the firm’s commitment to education and pro bono work, supported by compelling testimonials, positive feedback and clear evidence of its contribution.
Residential Property
Sponsored by InfoTrack
Winner: Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The firm combined technical expertise with a personal approach, guiding clients through some of their most important decisions. Its commitment to client care, innovation and the wider community reflected excellence in residential property law.
Rising Star of the Year
Winner: Katie Warner – Irwin Mitchell
Judges’ comments: Katie impressed the judges with her inspiring career progression, compelling examples of her work and clear evidence of her skills. Her commitment to outreach and community initiatives further distinguished her as a rising talent making a meaningful difference.
Law Firm of the Year: Small
Sponsored by Nuvem Solutions
Winner: Ridley and Hall Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The firm impressed with its national reputation, high client satisfaction and strong financial performance, alongside its commitment to legal aid. Clear investment in developing and retaining its team further strengthened a standout entry.
Law Firm of the Year: Medium
Sponsored by Laurel
Winner: Blacks
Judges’ comments: The firm combined legal expertise with a clear commitment to understanding and delivering for clients. The calibre of its work, dedication to client care and positive contribution to the wider community reflected the qualities of an outstanding Yorkshire law firm.
Law Firm of the Year: Large
Winner: Switalskis Solicitors
Judges’ comments: The judges praised the firm’s commitment to public service and the difference it makes to clients. A passion for justice shone throughout the entry, placing people at the heart of its work and setting it apart in a highly competitive category.
Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year
Sponsored by Perfect Portal
Winner: Ashley Bradley – MJC Law
Judges’ comments: Ashley embodied the ambition, leadership and commitment to excellence that make Yorkshire’s legal profession so strong. Through an outstanding contribution and the example set for others, the winning entry represented the very best of the profession.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners
The Yorkshire Legal Awards would like to extend its congratulations to every winner and finalist recognised this year.
The achievements celebrated throughout the evening are a testament to the extraordinary talent, dedication and ambition found across Yorkshire’s legal sector.
We would also like to thank our independent judging panel, led by Luke Corcoran, for generously giving their time and expertise to assess this year’s entries, alongside our valued sponsors and partners whose support helps make the awards possible.
Finally, thank you to everyone who joined us at New Dock Hall and helped make the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026 such a memorable celebration.
Congratulations once again to all our 2026 winners. We look forward to celebrating Yorkshire’s legal excellence again in 2027!