The Legal Benchmarking Group is thrilled to announce the nominees for the 2025 Social Impact EMEA Awards.
We are proud to announce the return of the Social Impact EMEA Awards 2025, an annual celebration honoring firms, legal professionals, programmes, in-house teams, and initiatives that are driving meaningful change across the region.
Now in its second year, the Social Impact EMEA Awards shine a spotlight on those within the legal industry who are tackling some of the region’s most pressing challenges—across sustainability, equity, community development, thought leadership and beyond.
Why It Matters
In a world facing unprecedented social, environmental, legal, and economic challenges, the need for visionary action has never been greater. The Social Impact EMEA Awards aim not just to celebrate good work, but to inspire a movement connecting legal changemakers, amplifying ideas, and catalyzing future impact across borders.
The 2025 EMEA Shortlist
Inclusion in this shortlist underscores the significant strides firms have taken towards building a more diverse and inclusive legal profession, as well as developing the legal community at large.
Following months of research and submission reviews, the LBG team has uncovered the most impactful programmes and cases, as well as the lawyers and professionals paving the way.
A shortlist preview of select categories can be found below. Final winners across all categories will be announced in November.
Congratulations to all of those shortlisted!
FIRM CATEGORIES
-
Community Impact Firm of the YearArzinger
Golaw
Gracers
gunnercooke LLP
Ontier
Punuka Attorneys & SolicitorsESG Firm of the YearBernitsas Law
Gecić Law
Koranteng & Koranteng Legal Advisors
Kromann Reumert
McCann FitzGerald
Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen
Rymarz Zdort Maruta
Saxinger International
Sitef & Co
StibbeInnovative Firm of the YearAegis Law
gunnercooke LLP
KPMG
SRS Legal
Wolf TheissPro Bono Firm of the YearAegis Law
DLA Piper
Ilyashev & Partners
Integrites
LCF Law Group
Onyango & Co. Advocates
Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors
Stibbe
VdAProfessional Development Firm of the YearKochanski & Partners
Schellenberg Wittmer
SRS Legal
VdA
Firm winners for categories such as:
Climate Justice Firm of the Year
Disability Advocacy Firm of the Year
Environmental Firm of the Year
Inclusion Firm of the Year
Inclusive Recruitment Firm of the Year
LGBTQ+ Advocacy Firm of the Year
Multigenerational Advocacy Firm of the Year
Pay Transparency Firm of the Year
Social Mobility Firm of the Year
Tech Innovation Firm of the Year
Thought Leadership Firm of the Year
Wellbeing Firm of the Year
Will be announced in November.
PROGRAMME CATEGORIES
-
Community Impact Programme of the YearAegis Law
KPMG
MathesonFuture Lawyers Programme of the YearBLSK Legal
DLA Piper
Guia Naghi and Partners
Murenko Kuriavyi and Partners
Nestor Nestor Diculescu Kingston Petersen
PaksoyMentorship Programme of the YearWolf Theiss
CCSL Advogados
Kochanski & PartnersProfessional Development Programme of the YearSchellenberg Wittmer
SRS Legal
VdASocial Mobility Programme of the YearArthur Cox
gunnercooke LLP
Integrites
Matheson
Paksoy
Programme winners for categories such as:
Affinity Network Programme of the Year
Anti-Discrimination Programme of the Year
Career Coaching Programme of the Year
Disability Advocacy Programme of the Year
Inclusive Recruitment Programme of the Year
Multigenerational Advocacy Programme of the Year
Social Impact Cases Programme of the Year
Wellbeing Programme of the Year
Will be announced in November.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
-
Thought Leader of the YearOksana Kneychuk, Eterna Law
Catherine Karatzas, Karatzas & Partners
Muyiwa Balogun, Olaniwun Ajayi
Mihlali Sitefane, Sitef & Co.Disability Advocate of the YearEd Jenneson, gunnercooke LLP
Simon Maynard, King & Spalding
Rachel Boyle, Bryan Cave Leighton & Paisner
Individual winners for categories such as:
ESG Leader of the Year
Ethical AI Advocate Leader of the Year
In-House Leader of the Year
Pro Bono Leader of the Year
Social Mobility Advocate Leader of the Year
Talent & Development Leader of the Year
Wellbeing Advocate Leader of the Year
Hall of Fame Leader of the Year
Will be announced in November.
For research-related questions, please contact Shailyn Tirado, Americas Director of Research.
For sponsorship packages, please contact Ahmed Hadi, Sales Executive.