The founder of Wales’ newest boutique law firm has announced the creation of new awards that will recognise the best talent working in the legal profession in Wales today.

The Wales Legal Awards have been initiated by Charlotte Leyshon of Lux Family Law in partnership with Liz Brookes of Grapevine Events and Professor Dylan Jones-Evans, both of whom are involved in the top business awards in Wales including the Fast Growth 50, Wales Start-Up Awards and Cardiff Business Awards.

The new awards will identify excellence in all parts of the legal community including claimant law, corporate and commercial, employment, property and construction, residential and conveyancing, and commercial litigation. There will also be a special award to recognise one individual’s outstanding contribution to the Welsh legal profession.

Charlotte Leyshon said:

“I am so thrilled and excited to be a co-founder of the inaugural Wales Legal Awards – the first national awards of their kind. They will celebrate the many specialised and talented teams to be found across the length and breadth of Wales’ vibrant legal industry. “No single lawyer delivers the result for the client – it is the team behind them who are often the glue that holds everything together and gets things over the line. “We want the awards to celebrate the home-grown talent of everyone involved in those teams and who are creating a buoyant legal marketplace that is as good if not better than anywhere else in the UK.”

There are 450 law firms registered in Wales with the sector itself enjoying a 8% growth year on year, according to The Law Society. There are also over 4,000 students studying law at universities across Wales, adding to this being increasingly one of the most important contributors to the Welsh economy.

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said:

“Wales is home to so many exceptional legal professionals and a number of outstanding firms carrying out all manner of legal work. “I look forward to seeing the full list of nominees for the inaugural awards, and wish the team the very best of luck in making this one of Wales’ best sectoral recognition events.”

Liz Brookes said:

“I am delighted to be able to work with Lux Family Law to develop what I believe could become the prime sectoral awards in Wales. “These new awards have gathered an excellent judging panel from some of the best legal firms in the UK.”

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans believes recognition of the important role of the Welsh legal sector is long overdue.

He said:

“The legal profession not only creates jobs in its own right but through the high quality of services it offers, helps other businesses to grow and develop. Given this, it is time that the excellence many see every day within the legal community in Wales is celebrated.”

A number of organisations have already pledged their support for the awards, including Admiral Law, Bartholomew Hawkins, Grant Stephens Family Law, SLD Wealth Management, LegalLinX, 30 Park Place and headline sponsors Wales’ fastest growing recruitment agency, Yolk Recruitment.