Winners revealed for Corporate Counsel Awards 2026

A total of 34 winners were selected from 161 finalists across 34 submission-based categories, including 22 individual, 11 group, and one Excellence Award to the highest-scoring finalist.

This year, the Excellence Award went to Angie Coleman of Minor Hotels Australasia, following her win for Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Lawyer of the Year.

Click here to view the full list of winners.

Individual winners included Kate Friedrich from Qantas Group, Rosie Thomas from PepsiCo, Emma Wolfenden from Varley Group, Ian Richardson from St George Community Housing, and Andrew Jaworski from The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Some of the companies honoured were Cancer Council Queensland, Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, PepsiCo ANZ, and The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Recognised as a leading accolade in the industry, a Corporate Counsel award bolsters the credibility and reputation of both professionals and businesses on a national level.

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Now celebrating its 9th year, the Corporate Counsel Awards has cemented its reputation as the benchmark for excellence in Australia’s in-house legal profession.

The ceremony also welcomed the opportunity for leaders to network with their peers and rising stars across the in-house community.

The winners were selected using robust judging criteria that are both quantitative and qualitative. The judging criteria acknowledge growth, business development, diversity, leadership, innovation, business excellence, and contribution to Australia’s legal sector.

Lawyers Weekly managing editor Jerome Doraisamy congratulated all finalists and winners of the 2026 Corporate Counsel Awards.

“Tonight’s awards are a celebration of the exceptional talent, leadership and resilience within Australia’s in-house profession,” he said.

“This year’s finalists and winners represent the very best of the profession, demonstrating innovation, strategic thinking, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

“On behalf of Lawyers Weekly and our principal partners, Lawyers on Demand (LOD) and Consilio, congratulations to all those recognised tonight for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the legal industry.”

Click here to view the full list of winners.

To learn more about the awards program, click here.