Legal ESG Awards UK 2025

The Legal ESG Awards UK 2025

In a world where Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations are paramount, the Legal ESG Awards UK sets the standard for excellence. These awards celebrate the pivotal role of legal professionals in advancing sustainable and ethical business practices.

This year’s expanded categories recognize exemplary client service, impactful initiatives, and employee engagement within law firms and in-house departments. We honor individual leaders as well as collaborative efforts that drive meaningful ESG change.

The Legal ESG Awards UK highlight the significant influence of legal experts in creating a responsible business landscape and challenge the profession to innovate and lead in integrating ESG principles.

For details on nominations and participation, please contact: contact@insideractice.com.

LAW FIRM CATEGORIES
+ Law Firm ESG Practice / Client Service
+ Law Firm ESG Internal Operations Award
+ Law Firm ESG Single Iniative Award
+ Outstanding Law Firm ESG Leader Award

More information below.
IN-HOUSE CATEGORIES
+ In-house Legal Department ESG Program
+ In-House Legal Department ESG Single Iniative Award
+ Outstanding In-House ESG Leader Award

More information below.
PARTNERSHIP / COLLABORATION CATEGORIES
+ Law Firm / Client ESG Collaboration Award

More information below.
OVERALL AWARD CATEGORIES
+ Paul Watchman: Young Lawyer of the Year Award
+ Lifetime Achievement Award

More information below.

HOW TO APPLY FOR LEGAL ESG AWARDS UK

For the nomination process, you will need to prepare the following ahead of starting the online submission process:

The Nominator / Your details
The Nominee / Contact Information
The Nominees Details / Criteria Answers
Any Additional Information / 3 Supporting Documents

You must complete a separate form for each nomination.
The online form must be completed and submitted in one sitting.
To help with that process, we are providing a P D F of the form to allow you to gather all the information before starting the online process. You can cut and paste from the PDF or a Word document into the online form.
You are also welcome to submit the completed PDF rather than use the online form.

LAW FIRM ESG PRACTICE / CLIENT SERVICE AWARD
This award celebrates a law firm that has excelled in delivering client services with a strong focus on ESG principles. It acknowledges the firm's efforts to incorporate ESG considerations into client advice, transactions, and litigation practices, setting a benchmark for ESG excellence in service clients of the legal profession.
LAW FIRM ESG INTERNAL OPERATIONS AWARD
This award recognizes the law firm with exceptional commitment to sustainable business practices. It honors the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into the firm's purpose, strategy and operations, reflecting a dedication to responsible business conduct and a sustainable approach to legal practice.
LAW FIRM ESG SINGLE INITIATIVE AWARD
This award is presented to the law firm that exemplifies outstanding ESG leadership in the development of and implementation of a single ESG initiative. It recognizes innovative approaches to identifying, developing and implementing a single ESG initiative which is material and core to the business strategy.
OUTSTANDING LAW FIRM ESG LEADER AWARD
Given the key role which law firms play in guiding and advising their clients’ ESG strategies, it is crucial that their law firms are setting the example. It takes an ESG leader within the law firm to ensure the firm is “walking the talk” as well as advising their clients on ESG. This award recognizes as exemplary law firm ESG Leader.

IN-HOUSE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ESG PROGRAM AWARD
This award is presented to an in-house legal department or team that exemplifies outstanding ESG leadership within and throughout their organization. It recognizes innovative approaches to embedding and operationalizing ESG criteria in corporate strategies, risk management, and compliance, showcasing the pivotal role of the Legal Department in steering the corporate ESG agenda.
IN-HOUSE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ESG SINGLE INITIATIVE AWARD
This award is presented to an in-house legal department or team that exemplifies outstanding ESG leadership in the development of and implementation of a single ESG initiative. It recognizes innovative approaches to identifying, developing and implementing a single ESG initiative which is material and core to the business strategy, showcasing the pivotal role of the Legal Department in steering the corporate ESG agenda.
OUTSTANDING IN-HOUSE ESG LEADER AWARD
Given the key role which legal department’s play in corporate ESG strategy and implementation, true ESG leaders must rise to the occasion. This award recognizes exemplary legal department ESG leadership - as key to department as well as company-wide ESG success.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
This prestigious award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to ESG principles within the legal profession. It celebrates their enduring impact, leadership, and mentorship, reflecting a career that fosters ethical, social, and environmental responsibility in law.
PROFESSOR PAUL WATCHMAN / YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Named in honor of Professor Paul Watchman, this award celebrates a young lawyer* who embodies his passion for ESG law and the development of future legal leaders. In collaboration with his daughter Carla Parsons, Senior Associate at Mills & Reeve, this award recognizes a young legal professional who shows exceptional promise in driving ESG initiatives and shaping the future of responsible legal practice.

On Wednesday, 19th June 2024, we had the privilege of honouring the outstanding individuals and organizations recognized for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and contributions to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices across the legal profession.

Thank you to our incredible panel of judges for lending their time and expertise, to all of our partners for their support Greenpla ce s, Acc e nture, Red-Inc, Clyde & Co, and to our hosts and the incredible team at Clifford Chance.