More than 200 UK-based individuals, law firms, legal teams and not-for-profit groups have been nominated for the 2027 Women and Diversity in Law Awards.
The nominees span all levels of seniority within the profession, from rising stars to potential winners of the flagship Woman of the Year category.
The publication of the list of nominees marks a key stage of the process for selecting the finalists for the awards, which are now in their fifth year and will take place at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square on 20 April.
The nominees are now invited to submit entries for consideration by a high-level judging panel comprising some of the legal profession’s leading equal opportunities campaigners, role models and experts.
The deadline for entries is 4 December. Individuals, teams and businesses are also encouraged to join the awards process at this stage by submitting entries. The online entry forms take the shape of questionnaires, which have been carefully framed to allow for a fair judging process.
Click here to read the instructions, view the categories and submit entries.
The awards, which are hosted by The Global Legal Post, are divided into three sections, with the first two recognising Outstanding Women Leaders and Outstanding Women Practitioners. The third focuses on diversity more broadly, highlighting initiatives aimed at improving workplace culture and equal opportunities and making the profession more reflective of the society it serves.
The judging panel includes Yasmin Waljee, international pro bono partner at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader; Lubna Shuja, former president of the Law Society of England and Wales; Nicolina Andall, a fractional general counsel and a commissioner at the Judicial Appointments Commission; and Patrick McCann, chief executive of the City of London Law Society.
The charity partner is Justice and Care, which combats modern slavery and human trafficking.
The 2026 awards were attended by 450 people and hosted by Donna Fraser, director of people, equity, diversity and inclusion at the Professional Cricketers' Association and a four-time Olympian for Great Britain.
Women practitioners from firms including Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, Linklaters, Cooley and BCLP were among those honoured. Children Not Numbers co-founder Somaya Ouazzani won the Woman of the Year award for her work in Gaza supporting children through medical care, education and international advocacy.
Shuja received the Outstanding Achievement award for her contribution to advancing diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. She was the first Asian and first Muslim president of the Law Society.
For sponsorship enquiries, email Cat Wheeler ([email protected]).
Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]
