Excellence in client solutions

Winner: HM3 Legal

‘From ‘bloody lawyers’ to ‘bloody brilliant lawyers!’ HM3 Legal set out to prove that a positive workplace culture and exceptional client care go hand in hand. They approached this challenge through two complementary routes: 

Internal Culture– Engaging with employees to design and deliver a client-focused culture;

External Validation– Achieving B Corp status and testing performance via genuine customer feedback on platforms including Google Reviews, Trustpilot, and NPS.

We were impressed by the extent to which HM3 is not only committed to internal change but open to external scrutiny. The effect of their work is clear to see in customer feedback across all platforms as well as employee satisfaction scores. HM3 reports the ‘highest client and employee satisfaction levels of any UK law firm’ and is committed to achieving industry leadership as client expectations continue to increase, all the while enjoying revenue and headcount growth.

Runner–up: Davitt Jones Bould

A trailblazing collaboration model reshaping how firms work together. Davitt Jones Bould set out to revolutionisehigh-volume, complex real estate work efficiently without sacrificing quality or profit. Through RES, they have built a collaborative model that enables client firms to retain full control of their relationships whilst relying on an outsourced team of highly skilled experts whenever needed. 

They have achieved this in 3 ways:

Acting as a trusted subcontractor: This enables client firms to deliver high-volume or lower-valuereal estate work profitably.

Consultancy: Providing specialist teams for large-scale or complex projects.

On-tap support: Providing expert assistance when needed.

We were impressed by the systemised approach to collaboration underpinned by technology and process. RES supports DJB’s core strategy and has proven to be a commercially successful approach that has gained significant traction with clients.

Excellence in marketing and business development

Winner: Addleshaw Goddard

With the strategic aim of raising its profile in the highly competitive London market, the firm took a bold and brave decision to sponsor (as Official Legal Partner for three years) one of London’s most iconic and televised annual events – The RHS Chelsea Flower Show. An ambitious and multi-channel campaign was designed, including eye-catching transport advertisements at Bank and London Bridge stations, floral-themed adverts on social media and the “freedom to flourish” message in client communications. The firm used the occasion to create educational events and unique experiences for its clients and guests. The firm integrated fundraising and volunteering programmes – associated with the RHS environmental charity – to evidence its contribution to the community. The firm also provided pro bono legal services. It further supported RHS by sending 15,000 seed packs to those who wished to become involved in gardening. The commitment to a multi-year, long-termstrategy was impressive. As were their awareness, engagement, media coverage and business development results. The firm also won a Best-in-Show award for the garden it designed for the show: ‘Addleshaw Goddard Freedom to Flourish’.

Runner–up: Weightmans

As part of a long-term purpose and strategic branding programme, and with full support of a new Managing Partner, the firm developed and executed four integrated“See the possibility” people-powered campaigns focusing on its amazing employees. The internal campaign was as strong as the messages of “Just Be Yourself” and#RealLeaders conveyed through powerful storytelling videos and images across multiple channels. The messages clearly resonated and demonstrated a commitment to diversity, inclusion and social mobility. The campaigns generated strong results in awareness, advocacy and performance both internally and externally.

Excellence in skills development

Winner: Foot Anstey LLP

Foot Anstey LLP re-defined and refreshed its career pathways and frameworks to better support its people and growth strategies. The judges were impressed by the initiative’s goal of an ambitious and organisational level of change to career planning in the firm. The wide stakeholder involvement and consultation (including from partners and clients), planning and clear communications were all influential in supporting implementation, engagement and integration with other learning and development opportunities. This major project feels deeply embedded across the firm and is already starting to drive improvements in career outcomes and greater transparency and pace around progression.

Runner–up: Charles Russell Speechlys

Charles Russell Speechlys implemented a firmwide learning programme enabling responsible GenAI use, accelerating the safe adoption of new technology, safeguarding the interests of clients and building confidence through practical training with tailored content for lawyers and business services. The judges were impressed with the strategic alignment of the project and how it created a unified approach to responsible GenAI use across the whole firm – achieving a high adoption rate of the firm’s proprietary GenAI tool. What also stood out was how the project created new, second-phase AI tools from the initial project, all embedded now as “business as usual” in the firm’sinductions and daily operations.

Excellence in strategic leadership

Winner: Schillings

Schillings is an impressive example of how a core service that clients can obtain in a similar form from competitors, in this case legal advice, can be enhanced by additional offerings, in this case communication and a global network, to become uniquely attractive to clients. The combination of law, communication, security, diplomacy and network represents a real USP. Of course, this USP is only attractive to a very specific target group. Schillings has obviously succeeded in identifying this target group, addressing it and winning itover. This would not have been possible without the courageous decision to tailor itsown offering accordingly.Rarely have I seen a website so exclusively focused on benefits. Schillings is a positivetextbook example of how added value can make a standard service interesting for aselect target group, thereby positioning the law firm uniquely and visibly in the market.

Winner: EIP

The combination of very good solicitors and excellent business services can make a real difference to the development of a law firm and the benefit to the client. EIP is pursuing this path very consistently with its initiative. This starts with internal processes. AI can often exploit potential and generate value much more easily here than at the lawyer level. In doing so, EIP is simultaneously laying the foundation for increasing client value through data usage and new offerings. Against this backdrop, it is only logical to offer outstanding lawyers who do not meet the classic business case of a partner a long-term home. It is rare for business services to be viewed and developed in this way and with such consistent implementation as the key to a law firm’s success. The starting point for this is a mindset shift in the leadership team. EIP is consistently pursuing an innovative path here.

Runner–up: DMH Stallard

The success of a law firm is the result of the interplay of various factors, not just brilliant lawyers. DMH Stallard has identified and operationalised these factors in an absolutely impressive way with the ‘Magnificent 7’. This provides a framework and a point of reference for the further development of the firm. Both enable alignment at all levels and the consistent orientation of the firm towards a jointly defined goal. This brings people together, bundles forces and is a driving force for entrepreneurial development.DMH Stallard is a textbook example of the strategic orientation and development of a law firm.

Excellence in Thought Leadership

Winner: Insignia Crisis Management

Setting the benchmark for crisis preparedness impressed the judges for its clear andhigh-impact thought leadership programme. Against a backdrop of high–profile cyber-attacks and major IT outages, many organisations lack the culture, skills and planning needed to respond well when things go wrong. Recent events have shown how quickly crises can escalate when preparation is weak. Insignia recognised this gap and used it to establish itself as a credible and trusted voice in crisis management. Launched in 2023, the initiative focuses on giving leaders practical insight and a clear, usable framework for crisis readiness. It has developed steadily through increased media commentary and speaking activity, a strong webinar programme, and the successful launch and growth of the Insignia Crisis Management Conference. At its core is Insignia’s Crisis Proof Approach, which sets out six essential elements of preparedness: commitment, culture, foresight, foundations, skills and confidence. The programme is closely aligned with Insignia’s strategy and values and has delivered tangible results, including new business growth, stronger client relationships and higher employee engagement. The founder and senior team are actively involved, leading research, sharing experience and engaging directly with clients and peers. Insignia has built a connected platform that fosters peer learning — and reinforces its reputation as a trusted authority in crisis preparedness.

Winner: Oxera

Oxera’s long-standing, wide-ranging and multichannel Agenda thought leadership programme hugely impressed the judges, with its strategic focus on brand-building, and especially with its focus on generating C-Suite awareness and conversations, particularly in support of its European expansion, as well as other benefits such as assisting with recruitment. It successfully positions Oxera as having valuable and distinctive economic and financial insights on the biggest strategic, investment and dispute challenges facing their clients and prospects, with the programme consistently making an invaluable contribution to theconsultancy’s growth.