Hilary Meredith-Beckham Shortlisted for Two Major Honours at Women & Diversity in Law Awards 2026

Hilary Meredith-Beckham has been shortlisted in two of the most prestigious categories at the Women & Diversity in Law Awards 2026 - Woman of the Year and Law Firm Leader of the Year.

Hosted by The Global Legal Post, the awards celebrate outstanding women leaders and practitioners, as well as legal teams and organisations driving meaningful change across the legal profession.

This year’s shortlist was selected from nearly 350 entries across 32 categories and includes 82 law firms and chambers - from global giants to boutique practices - alongside 27 other businesses and more than a dozen not-for-profit organisations.

A Trailblazer in Law and Leadership

Hilary began her legal career in 1982 and, at just 29 years old, became the youngest ever female partner at a 300-strong Manchester city centre firm.

In 2003, she founded her own niche practice, Hilary Meredith Solicitors, specialising in representing armed forces personnel and their families - a field in which she is now widely recognised as a national leader.

Her pioneering work began in 1987 when she represented the first-ever claim on behalf of a widow whose husband had died on manoeuvres in Canada (Green v MoD). That landmark case marked the start of a long line of actions on behalf of military widows who had never been told how their loved ones had died.

Over the course of her award-winning career, Hilary has acted in numerous precedent-setting cases, worked closely with Parliamentary Inquiries and Government Ministers, and successfully campaigned for changes in the law affecting service personnel and veterans.

Transforming a Profession

Hilary Meredith Solicitors became the first UK Top 200 law firm to appoint an all-female board - a bold and historic step. Today, the firm’s leadership remains equally diverse, reflecting Hilary’s enduring commitment to diversity and inclusion (D&I).

Hilary continues to champion D&I within her firm, across the wider legal profession, and throughout the armed forces community. Her contributions have been widely recognised, including being named Solicitor of the Year by First 100 Years for her commitment to equality in the legal profession.

As a single mother building her career in what was then an overwhelmingly male-dominated military and legal environment, Hilary repeatedly faced attempts to silence and discredit her. Even within courtrooms, she encountered overt resistance, including efforts by US military defence counsel to obstruct her. Rather than deterring her, these experiences strengthened her resolve - shaping her into a mentor and role model for aspiring female lawyers.

A Landmark Victory for Veterans

In her specialist field, Hilary remains at the forefront of complex and high-profile litigation.

After a nine-year legal battle, she recently secured a substantial settlement on behalf of more than 400 UK armed forces personnel who suffered physical and psychological side effects after being prescribed the controversial anti-malaria drug Lariam.

The groundbreaking outcome marked the conclusion of what many described as a David-and-Goliath legal fight, with the Ministry of Defence having previously adopted what critics called a “deny until they die” approach. Taking on a defendant with effectively unlimited resources, Hilary achieved a life-changing result for hundreds of veterans and their families.

The case was recognised with the Outstanding Case of the Year accolade at the Personal Injury Awards.

Service Beyond the Courtroom

Hilary is Founder and Chair of Hilary Meredith Solicitors and Chair of the Royal British Legion Solicitors Panel. She also serves as a Trustee of the St James’s Branch of the Royal British Legion and plays a key role in fundraising as a member of the Poppy Ball Committee - an event that has now raised over £1.4 million.

As Visiting Professor of Law and Veterans’ Affairs at the University of Chester, she actively participates in national and international networks dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women in the armed forces.

Commenting on the shortlist, Hilary Meredith-Beckham said:

“It is a tremendous honour to be shortlisted in these categories. My career has always been driven by a determination to stand up for those who serve our country and to challenge inequality wherever it exists. I am proud of the work our firm continues to do - not only in securing justice for armed forces families, but in demonstrating that strong, diverse leadership makes the legal profession better for everyone.”

The winners will be announced on 28 April at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square.