Latham & Watkins, A&O Shearman and Womble Bond Dickinson claimed top honours at the Legal 500 UK ESG Awards this week.
This year introduced several fresh categories. Latham & Watkins stood out by winning ESG: Client Service Firm of the Year, awarded to the firm that achieved the strongest client feedback scores in the Legal 500’s ESG research. Factors included deep sector and industry knowledge, lawyer quality and value for money, as well as billing practices and overall efficiency.
In another debut category, Norton Rose Fulbright disputes partner Stuart Neely took home ESG: Client Partner of the Year. Clients praised Neely as a pleasure to work with, highlighting his exceptional legal acumen, strong commercial awareness and unwavering commitment to service.
Bates Wells senior counsel David Hunter received the new Green Ambassador of the Year award. The prize celebrates individuals identified through the Legal 500’s Green Ambassadors research as leaders driving the green transition in private practice. Hunter is widely regarded as a key authority on helping businesses tackle climate change and biodiversity loss through their operations.
A&O Shearman enjoyed a strong evening, securing two awards. The firm won Best Law Firm Advisory Team: Clean Energy and ESG: Rising Star of the Year, the latter going to associate Ming Zee Tee of the firm’s environmental and climate law group. Tee also co-founded Legal Voices for the Future, a non-profit that amplifies young lawyers’ perspectives on ESG matters.
Womble Bond Dickinson likewise collected two trophies. Partner Sally Dallow, who leads the firm’s responsible business practice, and managing associate Nazmin Akthar were named ESG: Private Practice Champion of the Year and DE&I: Rising Star of the Year respectively.
Among other winners from leading LB100 firms, Freshfields global transactions counsel Reena Parmar earned Disability/Neurodiversity: Champion of the Year. Addleshaw Goddard senior pro bono and inclusion manager Richard Fisk took DE&I: Private Practice Champion of the Year.
Oscar Davies from Garden Court Chambers won LGBTQ+ Champion of the Year for their fearless advocacy on behalf of trans and non-binary individuals and other underrepresented communities, both in court and through public awareness efforts. This marks the second time Davies has received recognition in this category, having also won in 2024.
The ceremony concluded with two Lifetime Achievement awards. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer global head of ESG and sustainability Silke Goldberg was honoured for her longstanding leadership in the field. Former Browne Jacobson senior partner Caroline Green, the firm’s first female partner, was recognised for her pivotal role in building the practice into a leader in social mobility.
The full list of winners is available on the Legal 500 website. These awards continue to highlight the growing importance of ESG leadership within the UK legal profession.
