Blacks named law firm of the year

Blacks Solicitors LLP is proudly basking in the glow of its recent accolade, being named Law Firm of the Year: Medium at the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2026. This recognition comes alongside four additional shortlist nominations for its talented teams and emerging stars within the firm. The award marks a year of remarkable growth and development for Blacks, which includes a record-breaking financial performance, a fresh brand identity, and the expansion of their Leeds headquarters located at 29 King Street.

Over the last decade, Blacks has experienced tremendous growth, more than doubling its size from £11.5 million in 2017 to an impressive £22.9 million today. This success is a testament to the dedication and expertise of its teams, who provide top-notch advice to clients across Yorkshire and beyond on complex, high-value matters including corporate, employment, dispute resolution, real estate, and private client services.

The firm’s Corporate & Commercial, Employment, and Leasehold Enfranchisement teams each earned finalist status in their respective categories, while Associate Solicitor Jack Dodd was nominated for Rising Star of the Year. Discussing the honour of being named Law Firm of the Year, Chris Allen, Managing Partner, expressed his pride: “After leading Blacks for almost two decades, it is fantastic to see the firm recognised as ‘Law Firm of the Year: Medium’, particularly at a time when we have achieved significant milestones in our growth and development. This award is a real reflection of the quality, commitment and inspiration within the Blacks team. To have also been shortlisted in so many categories demonstrates the breadth of expertise across the firm, as well as the strength of the talent coming through.”

The Corporate & Commercial team received acclaim for its work across various sectors, including financial services, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing. They showcased their expertise in M&A, investment, commercial contracts, and other strategic matters. Meanwhile, the Employment team was acknowledged for being ‘invaluable’ by many clients, particularly for its support in a variety of employment-related issues. As one of the largest employment law practices in Yorkshire, this team was highlighted for its recent training collaborations with the global human rights movement Amnesty International and for achieving significant success in several unfair dismissal Employment Tribunal cases.

Specialising in lease extensions, enfranchisement, and bespoke title splitting, the Leasehold Enfranchisement team also garnered recognition for its expertise. In addition to the firm’s team achievements, rising star Jack Dodd was shortlisted for his significant contributions in the Family team, where he has quickly carved a prominent role since joining as a trainee in 2022.

Chris Allen added: “At Blacks, we have always been proud of our Yorkshire roots and our approach to combining high-quality legal expertise with a genuinely human service. Winning ‘Law Firm of the Year: Medium’ is a fantastic endorsement of the people who bring that approach to life every day. I am incredibly proud of what the whole firm has achieved.”