Browne Jacobson wins awards for excellence

Browne Jacobson has marked a significant milestone in its growth journey in Cardiff with a double win at the BusinessIn Wales Awards 2026. The UK and Ireland law firm was recognised with the titles of Law Firm of the Year and Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion at the inaugural awards ceremony on 8 October in Cardiff's Parkgate Hotel. Since launching its Cardiff office in 2023, the firm has seen remarkable growth, expanding from seven to approximately 60 employees and attracting a number of lateral hire partners to strengthen its full-service legal offering for both public and private sector clients in Wales.

This rapid expansion necessitated two moves to larger premises, culminating in a recent 10-year lease for a 9,500 sq ft space at One Central Square, designed to accommodate up to 150 staff members. Throughout this journey, Browne Jacobson has prioritised diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), integrating these values into its recruitment policies, community initiatives, and leadership strategies. The firm gained significant recognition as the top-ranked organisation in the Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Index for 2025, reinforcing its commitment to fostering inclusion in the Welsh legal market.

Tim Edds, Partner and Head of Cardiff at Browne Jacobson, shared the firm's evolving reputation: “Since setting up a permanent base in Wales three years ago to build on two decades of work here, we have shifted our reputation from a public sector adviser to a firm advising on landmark transactions and infrastructure projects with genuine national significance.” He further emphasised that the firm continues to attract top talent from the Welsh market due to its quality of work and ambitious vision adding, “We came here to be the law firm Wales deserves and these awards are a brilliant signal that we're getting there.”

Browne Jacobson's Cardiff office encompasses all its departments and sectors, offering comprehensive services, including public, planning and environmental law, health advisory litigation, and corporate transactions, among others. The firm is strategically aligned with key economic drivers in Wales, boasting specialists in areas such as technology, energy, health, and education, with key lateral hires strengthening each sector. Noteworthy projects include advising on the Celtic Freeport and the Morlais tidal energy scheme.

In addition to its commercial work, Browne Jacobson has collaborated with the Welsh Government to deliver its FAIRE (Fairer Access into Real Experience) social mobility programme, which has provided valuable opportunities for students from lower socioeconomic and minority backgrounds. Laura Hughes, Partner and Executive Lead for Wales, highlighted the firm’s commitment to inclusion, stating: “Inclusion isn't a side project for us – it's embedded in how we hire, how we lead and how we invest in the communities we're part of." As the firm continues to develop initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity within the legal profession, they remain ambitious in their goal to enact lasting change across Wales.