Legal ESG Award Recipients Announced

July 8, 2025

AUTHOR Inside Practice

The Legal ESG Awards 2025 recipients have been announced!


These awards celebrate legal professionals leading the way in sustainable and ethical business practices. This year’s expanded categories recognize standout client service, innovative initiatives, and team efforts. The awards highlight the vital role of legal experts in shaping a responsible business landscape and inspiring continued ESG leadership.


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.


🏆 Travers Smith


LAW FIRM INTERNAL OPERATIONS ESG AWARD


This award recognizes the law firm with exceptional commitment to sustainable business practices. It honours 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.

🏆 Shoosmiths


LAW FIRM SINGLE ESG 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.

🏆 Clyde & Co


LAW FIRM ESG EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AWARD


This award recognized the greater impact achieved through engaging the firm's employees in ESG initiatives and programs.


🏆 Gowling WLG


LAW FIRM CLIENT ESG COLLABORATION AWARD


This award will go to those who can demonstrate meaningful and material collaboration between law firms and their client(s) toward a more sustainable, just and equitable society. Together, we can accomplish greater success.   


🏆 Freshfields - Save the Children


LAW FIRM OUTSTANDING ESG LEADER AWARD


Sponsored by  Clarasight


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.


🏆 Abhay Srivastava, Weightmans


PAUL WATCHMAN YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR AWARD


Named in honour 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.


🏆 Ming Zee Tee, Legal Voices of the Future, A&O Shearman


LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD


Sponsored by Clyde & Co


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.


🏆 Vanessa Harvard-Williams


Although the awards have concluded, we received many exceptional entries, which is truly encouraging. Visit our LinkedIn page to extend your congratulations to the winners!


Looking to enter next year?  Click here to register your interest and we'll let you know when submissions open in 2026.

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