Former Lord Mayor of London and ex-Baker McKenzie solicitor Alistair King and Macfarlanes’ head of policy David Gauke were among lawyers recognised in the King’s 2026 Birthday Honours.
King and Gauke both received knighthoods. King, who was Lord Mayor for 2024-2025, was knighted for service to the City of London, while Gauke – who was Lord Chancellor during Theresa May’s premiership – was recognised for services to the justice system.
Also receiving honours was former Treasury Solicitor Susannah McGibbon KC (Hon), who was awarded a damehood; Department of Business and Trade lawyers Jane Hill and Fleur Ruda, who received a CBE and OBE respectively; and former Irwin Mitchell solicitor Professor Richard Moorhead and Brick Court’s Harry Matuvo KC, who both received an OBE.
Moorhead, who is also a past chair of the Young Solicitors’ Group, was recognised for his work campaigning on the Post Office scandal, as well as for his contributions to legal ethics and professional and judicial conduct.
Writing on his blog, he said: “Whilst delighted and not a little proud, it is important to say that a good dollop of luck and the support of those around me is what makes for moments like these.”
Meanwhile, Matuvo – the founder of the Black Talent Charter – received his honour for services to business and the legal profession.
The Charter said it was “a powerful recognition of the mission Harry has championed throughout his career: challenging long-held assumptions about black talent and creating pathways for greater inclusion at the highest levels of business and the professions”.
Other awards went to Jennifer Bell, a former Northern Ireland Crown Solicitor, who received a CB, and to Paul Berman, who received the CMG for his work with the Foreign Office.
Irwin Mitchell solicitor Adrian Budgen, a partner who has spent more than 30 years leading claims on behalf of victims of asbestos-related diseases, was awarded an OBE.
Craig Marshall, Irwin Mitchell chief executive, said the honour recognised Budgen’s commitment to clients, saying: “Adrian has helped countless families navigate extremely difficult circumstances.”
Competition and Markets Authority solicitor and a judge on the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Kwadjo Adjepong, was honoured for his services to sport and sports law with an OBE. Adjepong said he had never imagined “as a child from a working-class background who attended inner London state schools that he would receive such an honour”.
Music law firm Sound Advice partner Julius O’Riordan, otherwise known as DJ and broadcaster Judge Jules, received an MBE for services to music, entertainment law and to young people.
Ian Salter, an energy partner at Burges Salmon, also received an OBE for services to the nuclear industry, while Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer senior associate Faria Ali was awarded an MBE for her charitable and voluntary service.
Also honoured was Garden Court barrister Kate Aubrey-Johnson, who was awarded an OBE for her services to children and the youth justice system. In 2024, she co-founded Lawyers Who Care alongside Lucy Barnes, a groundbreaking initiative to support care-experienced aspiring lawyers, which won an award at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards in 2026. Aubrey-Johnson was also named Mentor of the Year at the 2026 awards.
Henry Grunwald KC of Crucible Law was honoured for his work as president of World Jewish Relief, receiving a CBE for charitable services. Stephen Akinsanya of 15NBS Chambers was made OBE for services to the prevention of knife crime and youth violence.
Former Fountain Court deputy senior clerk and CEO of Prosperant, Paul Martenstyn, received the MBE for his charitable work with Save the Children.
Treasury Solicitor Douglas Wilson KC (Hon) said: “On behalf of thousands of colleagues across the government legal profession, I am proud to celebrate and congratulate all those whose work supports public service and the rule of law.”
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