2023 Categories
Open to Private Practice and In-House Legal Departments

Please note - each firm/company can enter a maximum of 3 people per category.

ESG Initiative
This award is for women who have led on a specific ESG initiative within their law firm or company during the past 12 months.

Define the project or initiative’s scope: include timelines, goals and team members.

  • How successful was the implementation of this project or initiative? Was it within budget and delivered in time? What have been its benefits? Please provide hard evidence that goals have – or are being – achieved.
  • Please cite specific examples/policies that you have implemented or led on, including how you gained buy-in, from start to finish.

This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum

Ally of the Year
NB - this award is open to all, including men and people who identify as non-binary. 

An ally may lend their support in a variety of ways: if they are a senior stakeholder, they may champion junior women’s ideas in an arena the woman may not have access to, or ensure she herself has a seat at the table. They should be visible in their actions and proud to support gender diversity efforts through a variety of ways. 

  • Describe how this person has furthered gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness within their workplace and the industry at large in the past 12 months. 
  • Please cite specifc examples of how they have influenced or brought about cultural change in the workplace or broader industry.

This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum

Retaining Female Talent
In an industry where nobody can escape the talent war, the ability to keep hold of your best people has never been so important-particularly when it comes to evening the industry’s gender split. Many junior women leave the industry after career breaks such as maternity leave, or never feel supported enough to believe that they have a future in the profession.

  • Describe how the company/firm has demonstrated its commitment to retaining female talent at all levels.
  • Your entry should have supporting evidence to show that the number of women in your business has increased, or other demonstrable evidence to show your commitment to the issue by way of new programmes designed to retain women. 

The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum

Innovative Leaders
This award is to recognize women who are the thinkers, the ‘idea’ women. 

  • Describe what innovative changes the nominee has enacted in your company or team in the last 12 months. 
  • Please cite specific examples/policies that they have implemented, including how they gained buy-in, from start to finish. 

    This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

 600 words maximum.

Collaborative Leadership
This award is to recognise women who stand out as working well with others, and who bring other women with them as they find success. 

  • Describe how this person has supported other women in your team and company in the last 12 months.
  • Cite specific projects where you have collaborated with other women.

    This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum.

General Counsel of the Year / Law Firm Leader of the Year
This award is to recognise women who have had a huge, impactful year. This is not limited to women at managing partner level, it can be anyone who has displayed exemplary leadership skills.

  • Describe the major achievements from the past 12 months including personal and team achievements you have led on, citing specific examples.
  • You must demonstrate commitment to improving diversity measures in your team or wider company during the year.

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum.

Mentor of the Year
This award is for women who have mentored another woman in their team or wider business during the past 12 months. 

  • Describe the relationship with the mentee, including how often they meet and how they structure the mentorship.
  • Include any direct actions that have built the mentee’s career.
  • Include a testimonial from the mentee.

    This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.


600 words maximum.

Rising Star in Diversity Change
This award is for women under 35 who have led on diversity initiatives within their law firm or company during the past 12 months. 

  • Describe what led the nominee to want to improve business’ diversity and inclusion efforts, and what steps they have taken to do so.
  • Cite specific examples/policies that they have implemented or led on, including how they gained buy-in, from start to finish.

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.


600 words maximum

Lifetime Achievement
This award is for women who have had a significant impact on female empowerment in their teams and company over the past decade, and who have achieved notable strides in their career during that time. 

  • Describe what actions this person has taken to ensure other women succeed and achievements they have had.

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.


600 words maximum.

Law Firm/Legal Department D&I Initiative of the Year
This award is for women who have led on a specific diversity initiative within their law firm or company during the past 12 months.

  • Define the project or initiative’s scope: include timelines, goals and team members.
  • How successful was the implementation of this project or initiative? Was it within budget and delivered in time? What have been its benefits? Please provide hard evidence that goals have – or are being – achieved.
  • Please cite specific examples/policies that you have implemented or led on, including how you gained buy-in, from start to finish.

    This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum

Open to Vendors

Please note - each company can enter a maximum of 3 people per category.

ESG Initiative
This award is for women who have led on a specific ESG initiative within their law firm or company during the past 12 months.

Define the project or initiative’s scope: include timelines, goals and team members.

  • How successful was the implementation of this project or initiative? Was it within budget and delivered in time? What have been its benefits? Please provide hard evidence that goals have – or are being – achieved.
  • Please cite specific examples/policies that you have implemented or led on, including how you gained buy-in, from start to finish.

This category is also open to non-lawyers working within a law firm.
The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum

D&I Initiative of the Year
This award is for women who have led on a specific diversity initiative within their company during the past 12 months.

  • Define the project or initiative’s scope: include timelines, goals and team members.
  • How successful was the implementation of this project or initiative? Was it within budget and delivered in time? What have been its benefits? Please provide hard evidence that goals have – or are being – achieved.
  • Please cite specific examples/policies that you have implemented or led on, including how you gained buy-in, from start to finish.

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

600 words maximum

Innovative Leaders
This award is to recognize women who are the thinkers, the ‘idea’ women. 

  • Describe what innovative changes the nominee has enacted in your company or team in the last 12 months. 
  • Please cite specific examples/policies that they have implemented, including how they gained buy-in, from start to finish. 

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.

 600 words maximum.

Mentor of the Year
This award is for women who have mentored another woman in their team or wider business during the past 12 months. 

  • Describe the relationship with the mentee, including how often they meet and how they structure the mentorship.
  • Include any direct actions that have built the mentee’s career.
  • Include a testimonial from the mentee.

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.


600 words maximum.

Rising Star in Diversity Change
This award is for women under 35 who have led on diversity initiatives within their company during the past 12 months. 

  • Describe what led the nominee to want to improve business’ diversity and inclusion efforts, and what steps they have taken to do so.
  • Cite specific examples/policies that they have implemented or led on, including how they gained buy-in, from start to finish.

    The entry must relate to activity undertaken in the UK or by UK-based personnel.


600 words maximum