The 2025 Social Impact EMEA Awards, hosted by the Legal Benchmarking Group, remain open for submissions with new categories introduced to reflect the evolving priorities of the legal industry.
Now entering its second year, these awards celebrate the most innovative, inclusive, and responsible legal work taking place across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. And in 2025, the programme introduces a set of new and expanded categories designed to better capture the full spectrum of law firms' social responsibility efforts and the growing importance of purpose-driven legal practice.
What’s new in 2025?
The latest awards guidelines, now available here, outline several new categories that reflect shifting priorities across the EMEA legal sector. These additions represent a more inclusive and forward-thinking vision of what social impact looks like in practice.
Key new categories include:
Ethical AI Initiative of the Year
Honouring legal teams that are guiding clients or internal operations through responsible, transparent, and rights-based approaches to artificial intelligence development and deployment.
Climate Justice Advocacy
Recognising legal work that protects vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by climate change, including litigation, policy reform, and cross-sector partnerships.
Excellence in ESG Legal Services
Celebrating firms delivering standout counsel in environmental, social, and governance matters, with a focus on innovation, regulatory alignment, and sustainable client solutions.
Community Impact Award
Acknowledging initiatives that have created lasting, measurable benefits for local communities — from legal education and outreach to housing, health, and social equity programs.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Initiative
Recognising firms that have implemented bold, effective, and scalable approaches to support the psychological health and emotional wellbeing of legal professionals.
Multi-generational Advocacy Award
Honouring efforts that address legal issues affecting multiple age groups, from youth justice and education access to elder law, workplace equity, and intergenerational rights.
Why do these changes matter?
Each new category aims to capture the evolving pressures and opportunities law firms face today - from advancing equity in legal systems, to helping clients align with ESG regulations, to investing in internal culture change.
As global markets increasingly hold institutions accountable for their societal impact, these awards look to honour those who respond to a rising demand for transparency, accountability, and sustainable progress.
Submit your story:
We welcome submissions from private practice law firms, in-house legal teams, and legal networks across the EMEA region. The extended deadline is July 25, 2025.
Key dates
EMEA submission window open: April 16
EMEA extended deadline: July 25
(Americas: Not running in 2025)
Entry and category guidelines
To view the full list of categories and download the Entry Guidelines, see here.
All entries should be submitted via the dedicated portal.
Contact us
If you have any questions regarding the Legal Benchmarking Group Social Impact Awards, please contact Shailyn Tirado at socialimpact@legalbenchmarkinggroup.com
Please note that the Legal Benchmarking Group Social Impact Awards is supported by ITR but run independently to the World Tax research.
