The awards recognised the achievements and success of Australian legal professionals, teams, firms, and businesses. It was a chance to reward private practices, in-house counsel, partners, academics, students, and those at the bar for their hard work through what has been another challenging year.

Earlier this year, Lawyers Weekly made the decision to host the awards in December rather than in August in view of the extended lockdown in NSW.

Over 35 winners were chosen this year from over 920 submissions and a record 353 finalists, with recipients sharing a short speech outlining their achievements.

Enterprise Legal Queensland won the prestigious excellence award this year, which recognises the year’s top performer. It received the highest score from the judges out of all the categories for demonstrating excellence in the business of law as well as a true passion for the industry.

The firm also picked up the employer of choice award earlier in the evening.

Herbert Smith Freehills walked away with three awards, including energy and resources team of the year, while partner Nikki Smythe was dealmaker of the year and Tony Damian was partner of the year.

Several other firms were the recipients of two awards, including Harmers Workplace Lawyers, which won special counsel of the year and boutique law firm of the year.

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Corrs Chambers Westgarth won both the commercial team of the year and law firm of the year awards.

“On behalf of the Lawyers Weekly team, I offer hearty congratulations to all of the finalists and winners. It is an honour for us to acknowledge your accomplishments, and we can’t wait to see how professionals across the board rise to the occasion in 2022 – just as they have done since the onset of the global pandemic,” Lawyers Weekly deputy editor Jerome Doraisamy proclaimed.

“2021 has proved to be just as challenging and trying for legal professionals of all stripes as 2020 was. The business and practice of law continues to undergo change, some of which is exciting and some of which is burdensome.

“With this backdrop in mind, it is especially important for us as a profession to recognise and celebrate the myriad outstanding achievements by those at the top of the game.”

Lawyers Weekly would like to thank all of its partners for their invaluable support, including principal partner UNSW Law & Justice, platinum partner Madison Marcus, gold partners LEAP Legal Software and Carlyle Kingswood Global, and event partners Think Print Now, Dye & Durham, Leo Cussen, LodgeX Legal, and Cyber Security Connect.

To view all of the winners, click here.