On June 25, Legal Benchmarking Group was thrilled to host the 2025 Women in Business Law EMEA Awards at The Waldorf Hilton, London, with guests joining us from across the region.
The ceremony marked the culmination of months of in-depth research into the region’s top women lawyers and the most impactful law firm initiatives advancing gender equity.
Drawing on written entries to awards and supported by research from partner brands ITR, IP Stars and Benchmark Litigation, the awards celebrated standout individual practitioners across more than 30 practice areas and innovative firm-led efforts that champion women in the legal profession.
Among some of the big winners of the night was Penny Gilbert of Powell Gilbert, who was named the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award.
“I'm hugely honoured and rather flattered to receive this award on a night that has recognised some remarkable accomplishments by so many talented women," she said in her award speech.
Gilbert was one of the founders of the intellectual property-focused firm Powell Gilbert, which launched in 2007.
She was the first woman president of the European Patent Lawyers Association and has been a pivotal driver of her firm’s success.
Speaking about the changes she has seen in her practice over a 34-year career, she pointed out how at the beginning of her career there were very few women patent litigators - and even fewer in positions of leadership.
"Now, times have definitely moved on," she continued. "Today, I'm really honoured to stand here among the generation of inspiring women leading and transforming the industry for the better."
On firm-wide awards, judges looked at policies around work-life balance, diversity and career development, as well as a firm's achievements in promoting women at every level of seniority. Baker McKenzie won International Women in Business Law Firm of the Year. Other notable winners included global firms Gibson Dunn & Crutcher, Linklaters, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, Dentons, White & Case and Bird & Bird.
Austrian firms had much to celebrate, with Dorda and Wolf Theiss both picking up several awards, as did Irish firms, with celebrations for Arthur Cox, Matheson, A&L Goodbody and William Fry. Elsewhere, Schellenberg Wittmer, Karatzas & Partners and Al Tamimi & Company also had notable wins.
The Women in Business Law Awards team extends its sincere thanks to every firm, lawyer, and organisation that contributed to this year’s research.
A big congratulations to all the winners and the shortlisted nominees!
Photos of the evening and a full list of winners can be found on the Women in Business Law Awards hub located here.
The Women in Business Law Awards is supported by IFLR but runs independently to IFLR1000 and other LBG research.
