LawNet Awards 26/27
Two regional law firms have proved that thinking big needn’t mean losing touch with your roots, taking top honours in their respective categories at the LawNet Awards 2026 after ambitious programmes of expansion and transformation.
Midlands firm mfg Solicitors LLP scooped the Law Firm of the Year award in the £8m+ turnover category, while Liverpool-based Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors were recognised in turnover up to £8m.
More than 300 delegates attended the annual conference and awards, which recognise innovation and strategic success across the network’s SME law firm members, with entries judged by a sector-wide panel of experts, chaired by legal sector authority Andrew Hedley.
For mfg Solicitors, the accolade recognised how the regional firm combined ambitious expansion with a clear vision for its future, focused on growing a reputation for expertise that matched up to national firms. Over two years, turnover has grown by more than a third and profits by almost half, supported by investment in regional expansion, technology, client experience and its people.
Alongside its growing commercial strength and national profile, the firm has maintained its commitment to the Midlands communities in which it has deep roots, dating back nearly 500 years.
And for Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors, the achievement is the final leg of a transformation journey in how a 200-year-old practice sees and presents itself – moving beyond its high-street heritage to establish itself as a modern, nationally-recognised regional firm.
That ambition has been matched by impressive results for the Liverpool firm. In just 18 months, turnover has increased 25%, volume of matters is up by more than 15% and headcount by 35%. Throughout this expansion, the firm has maintained its 4.9 client rating.
“This journey has been about sustainable, people-led growth across every department in the business,” explained Mike Leeman, managing partner of Bell Lamb & Joynson: “We’ve shown that bigger ambitions need not come at the expense of personal service, or losing our heritage. It's about having a very clear purpose that our people understand and buy into.”
mfg Solicitors has its sights on further growth, as finance director Rob Sutherland explained: “We have ambitious plans for the next few years and will continue to invest in our teams and recruit the right people, who share our culture and commitment to serving our clients and communities.
“We remain proudly independent and this award is a fantastic recognition of the efforts of everyone across the firm and of the growth journey we are on. Our people have been central to that success, taking real ownership of their contribution and helping us to build a stronger business.”
LawNet chief executive Helen Hamilton-Shaw added: “Our winners demonstrate what happens when SME law firms think big and have the ambition to turn that thinking into reality. They are challenging expectations, combining commercial ambition with innovation, excellence and outstanding client service, while developing and investing in the people who will take their firms forward."
“What's exciting is that this ambition is shared across the network. Every year, firms learn from one another, exchange ideas and build on each other's achievements. It's a collective momentum that keeps raising the bar for everyone.”
Mike Leeman added: “This award is so important for all our people who are looking after our clients, supporting their journey. For them to be recognised by a panel of judges as leaders in their field, that is just wonderful.”
Thinking big also paid off for the two-strong marketing team at Mullis & Peake LLP Solicitors, who won Business Support Team of the Year for using detailed data analysis and insights to deliver a significant impact on firm performance.
And a residential property team at Banner Jones Solicitors who focused on continuous improvement have delivered record growth, combined with faster workflows and happier clients, to secure the Team of the Year in the individual law category.
For MBM Commercial’s corporate team, securing a reputation for a market-leading capability in the United States helped boost the volume of successful cross-border transactions handled by the team, securing them the Team of the Year award in the business law category. Creating a unique service to handle complex construction insolvencies won the Best Innovation award for Isadore Goldman’s IG Construct offering.
The ESG initiative award for Excellence in Responsible Business went to Gardner Leader LLP with its commitment to balancing people, planet and profit and achieving Certified B Corp status.
Wolferstans LLP won the Excellence in Client Care award for a strategy built on a deep understanding of clients’ needs and expectations, translating that insight into exceptional service, strong loyalty and recommendations.
Rising Star honours went to Martha Clayton, head of marketing at Bell Lamb & Joynson, and Tasha Bibby of Biscoes Solicitors was named Early Career Lawyer of the Year.
Andrew Hedley, who has chaired the judging panel for the past seven years, added: “This year’s entries were exceptional, but every year of judging the standard has just gone up and up.
“This year’s winners and finalists are a real testament to being part of LawNet and the collaboration that allows best practice and ideas to be shared.”
All the award winners:
Excellence in Client Care - sponsored by Legl: Wolferstans LLP
Best Innovation - sponsored by Conscious Solutions: Isadore Goldman
Excellence in Responsible Business - sponsored by Document Direct: Gardner Leader LLP
Early Career Lawyer of the Year - sponsored by Iceberg: Tasha Bibby, Biscoes Solicitors
Rising Star - under 35 years - sponsored by Thomson Reuters: Martha Clayton, Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors
Team of the Year (Business Law) - sponsored by InfoTrack: MBM Commercial - Corporate Team
Highly Commended – Actons – Employment Team
Team of the Year (Individual Law) - sponsored by Perfect Portal: Banner Jones Solicitors - Residential Property Team
Business Support Team of the Year - sponsored by Baskerville Drummond: Mullis & Peake LLP Solicitors - Marketing Team
Law Firm of the Year up to £8m t/o - sponsored by Consortium more than marketing: Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors
Highly Commended – MBM Commercial
Law Firm of the Year above £8m t/o - sponsored by Xperate: mfg Solicitors LLP