UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson is a finalist across three categories at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Europe 2026 Awards, one of the most prestigious accolades in the legal profession.

The shortlist spans three impactful areas of work: data-driven insight into school leadership, tackling accent and socioeconomic bias in the workplace, and individual entrepreneurial innovation through Tom Lyas, Head of Resourcing and Social Mobility. 

The breadth of recognition reflects the firm's commitment to being at the forefront of society's biggest issues and its ability to deliver solutions that benefit clients, consumers and society.

The FT Innovative Lawyers Awards are widely regarded as the benchmark for innovation across the European legal market, recognising firms and individuals whose work makes a significant mark at the intersection of law, business and society. 

Richard Medd, Managing Partner at the firm, said: "To be shortlisted in three categories is a brilliant reflection of what our people are achieving right across the firm. Innovation at Browne Jacobson is not confined to one team or one practice area; it runs through everything we do. 

“To once again be recognised alongside the world's largest and most well-resourced firms is a real testament to the talent and ambition we have here, and I could not be prouder of everyone involved."

The firm has been shortlisted across the following categories:

• Innovation in Knowledge and Data for the firm’s School Leaders Survey, which captures the views of school and trust leadership representing more than 1,000 schools and half a million pupils in England on key issues facing the education sector.
• Innovation in People Strategy for its market leading Accent and socioeconomic bias training in the workplace;
• Tom Lyas has been nominated for Intrapreneur of the Year for his market-leading work developing the firm’s social mobility programme.

Building on success

The firm won two Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Awards in 2025, ranking as 33rd most innovative law firm in Europe, an outstanding achievement that demonstrates its exceptional capability to drive meaningful change through legal innovation. 

The news follows the firm’s recent success in M&A, ranking third in the Mergermarket 2026 league tables for M&A deal count, as well as winning National Legal Team award and Large Deal of the Year at the The Business Desk’s Rainmaker Awards, and Legal Adviser of the Year – Deal-making category at the EducationInvestor Awards 2026.