Women in Business Law Awards Europe 2021: shortlist revealed

Managing IP is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Gardens, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Women in Business Law Awards Europe 2021: shortlist revealed

wbl-logo-europe-2021-rgb.jpg

The Women in Business Law Awards is excited to present its shortlist for the 2021 Europe Awards

The Women in Business Law Awards has released the full list of finalists for its 2021 Europe awards.

The awards bring together Europe’s legal community to recognise the leading women lawyers from across the region and to celebrate the law firms that have launched impressive initiatives to promote diversity and women in the practice of law.

Winners will be announced on June 24 2021

A preview of the practice area and Rising Star finalists can be found below, but the full list of finalists is available on the awards website. The Women in Business Law Awards research team carefully selected each finalist following a thorough research period which included an analysis of direct submissions, followed by interviews with law firms and in-house teams, client feedback, and much deliberation.

Individual practitioners and Rising Stars are judged not only on the complexity of the work the nominees completed in 2020, but also on their advocacy, influence, and thought leadership in relation to the promotion of women in the practice of law and within practice area specialisms.

Law firm initiatives are recognised across various categories, including for gender diversity and work-life balance.

All of the work accepted for shortlisting closed during the research period from January 1 to December 31 2020. The awards do not recognise cases, deals or transactions completed outside of the research period.

If you have any questions regarding our research process, please contact John Harrison: john.harrison@legalmediagroup.com

The Women in Business Law Awards will announce the winners on June 24 in a virtual awards presentation, followed by write-ups and analysis of all the most significant work. To find out more - and how you can promote your success - please contact Tanya Gujral: tanya.gujral@euromoneyplc.com

Preview of the Women in Business Law Awards Europe 2021 shortlist:

Copyright Lawyer of the Year

Fabienne Brison - Hoyng Rokh Monegier

Lydia Mendola - Portolano Cavallo Studio Legale

Manon Rieger-Jansen - Bird & Bird

Rachel Alexander - Wiggin

Ruth Hoy - DLA Piper

Vanessa Marsland - Clifford Chance

Patent Lawyer of the Year

Fiona O'Beirne - McCann Fitzgerald

Katrin Winkelmann - Eisenführ Speiser Patentanwälte

Laëtitia Bénard - Allen & Overy

Laura Scott - William Fry

Mari Must - Ellex Valiūnas

Penny Gilbert - Powell Gilbert

Trademark Lawyer of the Year

Aurélia Marie - Cabinet Beau de Loménie

Carina Gommers - Wiggin

Evelyne Roux - Regimbeau

Florence Verhoestraete - NautaDutilh

Jessica Le Gros - Baker McKenzie

Manon Rieger-Jansen - Bird & Bird

Marie McGinley - Eversheds Sutherland

Maureen Daly - Beauchamps

IP Rising Star

Alexandra Ciarnau - Dorda

Karla Hughes - Allen & Overy

Mine Güner Sunay - Baker McKenzie

Nina Dorenbosch - Bird & Bird

Rachel Wilkinson-Duffy - Baker McKenzie

Tess Waldron - Powell Gilbert

Tímea Bana - Dentons

Zuzana Hodoňová - Wolf Theiss

more from across site and SHARED ros bottom lb

More from across our site

As the US reflects on 250 years of independence, patent lawyers say innovation is reshaping old hiring priorities, with firms seeking broader IP expertise over specialisation
The Nokia v Acer ruling in the UK suggests arbitration is moving from the sidelines towards the mainstream of global FRAND disputes - and could reshape forum strategy in the process
The Life Sciences Awards is thrilled to present the shortlist for the 2026 Americas Awards
From Türkiye to Poland and Nigeria, firms with deep local roots continue to dominate the top tier, proving that market expertise can outweigh international scale in many CEE, Middle Eastern and African jurisdictions
Former Hoyng Rokh partner Simon Dack takes a leading PMAC role as busy firms continue to jostle for position
Franck Fougere, founder and managing partner of Ananda IP in Thailand, describes how the firm has developed a reputation for patent work and why he believes IP practice is set to change
After two decades at Kass International, Geetha Kandiah discusses the lessons that shaped her career, building an inclusive regional firm, and AI opportunities
Manisha Singh of LexOrbis discusses the need for commercial alignment with clients and why IP lawyers need to have curiosity at their core
As firms expand into integrated IP services, recent hires show the model's appeal – but high-profile departures reveal how quickly questions of depth and durability can emerge
In-house counsel say private practice firms either aren’t conveying sustainability messaging or simply ‘don’t care’, but a mindful approach to the topic could swing pitches
Gift this article