Firms and individuals vying for success in Birmingham Law Society awards

Sixty-nine individuals and firms have been recognised in Birmingham Law Society’s annual Legal Awards shortlist.

Birmingham Law Society is the largest local Law Society outside of London and the awards are a celebration of the best legal talent across Birmingham and the surrounding area.

Shortlisting judges, Lisa Watts, marketing consultant at 3PB Barristers, Salma Maqsood, president of Bristol Law Society and Christie Nelson, co-chair of Birmingham Solicitors' Group, met last week to shortlist the 14 award categories that make up the Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards 2026.

Birmingham Law Society president Matt O’Brien (pictured) said: “I am immensely proud to see the breadth and depth of legal talent we have here in the West Midlands - from students at the very start of their careers to our most senior practitioners.

“Some of the names on this year’s shortlist will be familiar to many of you; others are being recognised for the first time, and I’m especially pleased that we continue to uncover such outstanding hidden gems within our profession.”

The shortlist is:

Outstanding Student Contribution of the Year 2026

• Hafsah Shahid, Birmingham City University
• Halima Rahman, Birmingham City University
• Khadija Bashar, Birmingham City University
• Jessica Stewart, The University of Birmingham Law School
• Anaiah Ferdinand, The University of Law

Apprentice of the Year 2026

• Estelle Asante, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
• Madison Timmins, Gateley Legal
• Alex Hooper, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
• Joe William Gallagher, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
• Madalina Novac, Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
• Tom Reeves, Weightmans LLP

Trainee Solicitor of the Year 2026 sponsored by The University of Law

• Hollie Gould, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
• Abigail Evason, Bevan Brittan LLP
• Jakub Mikulecky, Shakespeare Martineau
• Govind Johal, Shakespeare Martineau
• Jody Li, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP

Paralegal of the Year 2026

• Poppi Herald, Enoch Evans LLP
• Gurpreet Chohan, Pinsent Masons LLP
• Mariana Drinkwater, Schofield & Associates
• Rabiya Ishfaq, Weightmans LLP
• Reuben Khara, Weightmans LLP

Legal PA of the Year 2026 sponsored by the PA Forum

• Nikki Orton, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
• Carol Page, Chase Morgan Solicitors
• Tracey Allsopp, Greens Solicitors Limited
• Sarah Coyne, Schofield & Associates
• Ruby Mander, Weightmans LLP

Solicitor of the Year 2026 sponsored by Landmark Information Group

• Kadie Bennett, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
• Nathan Miebai, Crown Prosecution Service
• Joel Blake, The Wilkes Partnership LLP
• Emily Sharples, Trowers & Hamlins LLP
• Kristian Campbell-Drummond, Weightmans LLP

Junior Barrister of the Year 2026 (10 years’ call and under)

• Aaron Luxton, 3PB Barristers
• Afiya Amesu, No5 Barristers' Chambers
• Alex Pritchard-Jones, No5 Barristers' Chambers
• Chloe Ashley, No5 Barristers' Chambers
• Harrison Burroughs, No5 Barristers' Chambers

Barrister of the Year 2026 (over 10 years’ call)

• Muhammad Ul-Haq, Halcyon Chambers
• Baldip Singh, No5 Barristers' Chambers
• Jonathan Barker, St Philips Chambers
• Michelle Caney, St Philips Chambers

Partner of the Year 2026 sponsored by JM Glendinning Professional Risks

• David Alcock, Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
• Gemma Bell Smith, Devonshires Solicitors LLP
• Rebecca Sherwin, Gateley Legal
• Shazia Shah, Irwin Mitchell LLP
• Richard Port MBE, mfg Solicitors

In-House Lawyer of the Year 2026

• Bela Viramgama, Henderson & Jones
• Heidi Salter, Housing 21
• Pardeep Lagha, NEC Group
• Allia Khan, Polo Works
• Chris Simmonds, Wolverhampton City Council

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award 2026

• Birmingham Black Lawyers
• Abi Adeboyejo, Cadbury Sixth Form College
• Sarah Bond-Williams, FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited
• Sikhs In Law
• Weightmans LLP

Pro Bono Award 2026

• Birmingham City University
• Rebecca Sherwin, Gateley Legal
• Sarah Wilkinson, Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
• The University of Law

Law Firm of the Year 2026 (1-49 Employees)

• Burley Law Limited
• Collective Law Solicitors LTD
• Hall Brown
• Spencer Shaw Solicitors
• Tenet Compliance and Litigation

Law Firm of the Year 2026 (50+ Employees) sponsored by St Philips Chambers

• Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
• FBC Manby Bowdler (Midlands) Limited
• Mills & Reeve LLP
• The Wilkes Partnership LLP
• Weightmans LLP

All nominees are invited to an interview in mid-January with an independent judging panel, including Raj Kandola, acting deputy CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

The winner of each category which will then be announced on Thursday 12 February at the ICC in Birmingham.