UK Diversity Legal Awards 2021 – finalists announced

The UK Diversity Legal Awards (UKDLA) celebrates its 11th anniversary this year and continues to “promote the successful work and commendable efforts of individuals and organisations in the legal profession.”

The UKDLA are the only industry awards that focus solely on “recognising, promoting and celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion across the legal profession.” The awards is an initiative of Black Solicitors Network (BSN).

This year’s sponsors are:

• the Solicitors Regulation Authority;
• Linklaters LLP;
• Thomson Reuters; and
• Accenture.

Congratulations to the inspirational finalists for winning the 2021 award categories.

This year’s nominees for the organisation/team awards

Recruiting diverse talent:

• London Borough of Hackney – Legal and Governance Services;
• Maitland Chambers; and
• Mills & Reeve LLP.

Managing diverse talent:

• Doughty Street Chambers;
• Herbert Smith Freehills LLP; and
• White & Case LLP.

Outstanding race and ethnicity employee network:

• Allen & Overy LLP;
• Hogan Lovells;
• Kingsley Napley LLP;
• Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP; and
• Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP.

Access to justice:

• Dr Imranali Panjwani, Diverse Legal Consulting;
• Sidley Austin LLP;
• Al-HQ Law (Yasmin Hoque); and
• MTC Solicitors (Naga Kandiah).

Diversity and inclusion initiative of the year – law firm:

• Burness Paull LLP;
• Macfarlanes; and
• Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.

Diversity and inclusion initiative of the year – chambers:

• Harry Matovu QC, Brick Court Chambers (Charter for Black Talent);
• Maitland Chambers; and
• New Square Chambers.

Diversity and inclusion initiative of the year - in-house legal:

• BBC; and
• Accenture.

Diversity and inclusion initiative of the year - Mental health and wellbeing:

• Linklaters LLP;
• Russell-Cooke;
• Shoosmith LLP; and
• Sidley Austin LLP.

Disability inclusion award:

• Goldsmith Chambers (Christina Warner); and
• Mills & Reeve LLP.

BSN sole practitioner/high-street firm of the year:

• Michael Herford (Legal Lifelines); and
• Lubna Shuja (Legal Swan Solicitors).

This year's nominees for the individual awards

Diversity champion:

• Samuel Clague, The Stephen James Partnership;
• Raggi Kotak, barrister, One Pump Court Chambers;
• Shannett Thompson, partner, Kingsley Napley LLP; and
• Cristina Warner; barrister, Goldsmith Chambers.

BSN lawyer of the year - private practice:

• Kem Ihenacho, partner, Latham & Watkins; and
• Inez Brown, partner, Harrison Clark Rickerbys.

BSN lawyer of the year - chambers:

• Grace Brown, barrister, Garden Court Chambers;
• Harry Matovu QC, barrister, Brick Court Chambers; and
• Sultana Tafadar, barrister, No.5 Chambers.

BSN lawyer of the year - in-house:

• Netanya Clixby, legal counsel, G-Research; and
• Ofei Kwafo-Akoto, senior legal counsel, GLP Europe.

BSN rising star - private practice:

• Jivaan Bennett, associate, Linklaters;
• Stephanie Lartey, trainee solicitor, White & Case LLP;
• Qalid Mohamed, associate, Sidley Austin LLP; and
• Warren Wellington, associate, Latham & Watkins.

BSN rising star - chambers:

• Natasha Shotunde, barrister, Garden Court Chambers; and
• Alexandra Wilson, barrister, 5 St Andrew’s Hill.

The winners will be unveiled at the glittering awards ceremony on Tuesday 30 November 2021 from 6:00pm. The ceremony will celebrate the achievements and share best practice throughout the legal profession.