69 individuals and firms have been recognised in Birmingham Law Society’s annual Legal Awards shortlist, which has been announced today.
The auspicious event is one of the highlights of the Birmingham Law Society calendar. Birmingham Law Society is the largest local Law Society outside of London and the awards are a celebration of the best legal talent across Birmingham and the surrounding area.
Shortlisting judges, Lisa Watts, Marketing Consultant at 3PB Barristers, Salma Maqsood, President of Bristol Law Society and Christie Nelson, Co-Chair of Birmingham Solicitors’ Group, met last week to shortlist the 14 award categories that make up the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2026.
They commented:
“It has been wonderful to see not only strong engagement with current initiatives, but also the creation of new groups, fresh ideas, and a genuine commitment to growing Birmingham’s professional community. The standard of applications was exceptionally high, particularly within the junior lawyer categories, where the calibre, dedication, and quality of work truly stood out.”
President of the Birmingham Law Society, Matt O’Brien added:
“Congratulations to every shortlisted candidate for the 2026 Legal Awards. I am immensely proud to see the breadth and depth of legal talent we have here in the West Midlands—from students at the very start of their careers to our most senior practitioners. Some of the names on this year’s shortlist will be familiar to many of you; others are being recognised for the first time, and I’m especially pleased that we continue to uncover such outstanding hidden gems within our profession.
This year, as you know, every shortlisted candidate will receive the Birmingham Law Society Hallmark of Excellence, which I hope they will share and display proudly in recognition of their achievements. In my book, they are all already winners.
Of course, there can only be one winner in each category, and I wish every shortlisted candidate the very best of luck in the final judging process. I look forward to celebrating with you all in February.”
The shortlist can be exclusively revealed below.
Outstanding Student Contribution of the Year 2026
- Hafsah Shahid, Birmingham City University
- Halima Rahman, Birmingham City University
- Khadija Bashar, Birmingham City University
- Jessica Stewart, The University of Birmingham Law School
- Anaiah Ferdinand, The University of Law
Apprentice of the Year 2026
- Estelle Asante, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
- Madison Timmins, Gateley Legal
- Alex Hooper, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
- Joe William Gallagher, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
- Madalina Novac, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
- Tom Reeves, Weightmans LLP
Trainee Solicitor of the Year 2026 sponsored by The University of Law
- Hollie Gould, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
- Abigail Evason, Bevan Brittan LLP
- Jakub Mikulecky, Shakespeare Martineau
- Govind Johal, Shakespeare Martineau
- Jody Li, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
Paralegal of the Year 2026
- Poppi Herald, Enoch Evans LLP
- Gurpreet Chohan, Pinsent Masons LLP
- Mariana Drinkwater, Schofield & Associates
- Rabiya Ishfaq, Weightmans LLP
- Reuben Khara, Weightmans LLP
Legal PA of the Year 2026 sponsored by the PA Forum
- Nikki Orton, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
- Carol Page, Chase Morgan Solicitors
- Tracey Allsopp, Greens Solicitors Limited
- Sarah Coyne, Schofield & Associates
- Ruby Mander, Weightmans LLP
Solicitor of the Year 2026 sponsored by Landmark Information Group
- Kadie Bennett, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
- Nathan Miebai, Crown Prosecution Service
- Joel Blake, The Wilkes Partnership LLP
- Emily Sharples, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
- Kristian Campbell-Drummond, Weightmans LLP
Junior Barrister of the Year 2026 (10 years’ call and under)
- Aaron Luxton, 3PB Barristers
- Afiya Amesu, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
- Alex Pritchard-Jones, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
- Chloe Ashley, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
- Harrison Burroughs, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
Barrister of the Year 2026 (over 10 years’ call)
- Muhammad Ul-Haq, Halcyon Chambers
- Baldip Singh, No5 Barristers’ Chambers
- Jonathan Barker, St Philips Chambers
- Michelle Caney, St Philips Chambers
Partner of the Year 2026 sponsored by JM Glendinning Professional Risks
- David Alcock, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
- Gemma Bell Smith, Devonshires Solicitors LLP
- Rebecca Sherwin, Gateley Legal
- Shazia Shah, Irwin Mitchell LLP
- Richard Port MBE, mfg Solicitors
In-House Lawyer of the Year 2026
- Bela Viramgama, Henderson & Jones
- Housing 21
- Pardeep Lagha, NEC Group
- Allia Khan, Polo Works
- Chris Simmonds , Wolverhampton City Council
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award 2026
- Birmingham Black Lawyers
- Abi Adeboyejo, Cadbury Sixth Form College
- Sarah Bond-Williams, FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited
- Sikhs In Law
- Weightmans LLP
Pro Bono Award 2026
- Birmingham City University
- Gateley Legal
- Sarah Wilkinson, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
- The University of Law
Law Firm of the Year 2026 (1-49 Employees)
- Burley Law Limited
- Collective Law Solicitors LTD
- Hall Brown
- Spencer Shaw Solicitors
- Tenet Compliance and Litigation
Law Firm of the Year 2026 (50+ Employees) sponsored by St Philips Chambers
- Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
- FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited
- Mills & Reeve LLP
- The Wilkes Partnership LLP
- Weightmans LLP
All nominees are invited to an interview mid-January with independent judges from a range of backgrounds including:
- Benedict Chigara, Professor of Law & Head of Law & Criminology, Birmingham Newman University
- Christie Nelson, Co-Chair, Birmingham Solicitors’ Group
- Daniel Skermer, Director & Founder, PA Forum
- Donna McGrath, Director & Founder, The In-House Lawyers’ Coach
- Ian McConkey, Vice President, Manchester Law Society
- Julie Maguire, Chief Executive, Greens Solicitors
- Lisa Watts, Marketing Consultant, 3PB Barristers
- Lucy Tissington, President, Derby & District Law Society
- Marie Dancer, President, Nottinghamshire Law Society
- Paul Faulkner, Co-Founder, Element45
- Raj Kandola, Acting Deputy CEO, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
- Rebecca Mander, Founder, GuruYouTM
- Sabeena Pirooz, Vice President, Bristol Law Society
- Sarah Mansfield, Vice President, Liverpool Law Society
- Shanika Varga-Haynes, Director, Leeds Law Society
The winner of each category which will then be announced on Thursday 12th February at the glittering awards dinner at the city’s iconic ICC venue.
To book your tickets or to find out more information about the remaining sponsorship opportunities, please click here.
