Smokeball Community Hero Awards 2026

It's a new annual awards programme celebrating legal professionals across the UK who go above and beyond to make a positive impact in their communities - whether through charity work, mentoring, diversity and inclusion initiatives, sustainability efforts, or community leadership. It's based on Smokeball's successful Community Hero Awards in Australia.

It reflects our core value that "Caring is Not Optional." At Smokeball, we're about powering people law - putting people, not just process, at the centre of everything we do. This award is our chance to recognise the people behind the legal profession, not just commercial or firm success, and celebrate the genuine difference legal professionals make in their communities.

No. The award is open to the entire UK legal profession, whether or not the nominee or nominator uses Smokeball.

1. Is employed in a job within the legal industry
2. Is aged 18 or over
3. Resides in the UK

Anyone - a colleague, another legal professional, or the nominee themselves. Self-nominations are welcome.

Yes, but each individual person can only be nominated once by the same nominator.

There isn't a fixed set of categories - nominees can be recognised for going above and beyond in ways including:

1. Supporting charities and fundraising initiatives
2. Championing diversity and inclusion
3. Mentoring students and junior lawyers
4. Leading sustainability initiatives
5. Creating positive change in their local communities
6. Random acts of kindness that make a meaningful difference

No - these are examples of the kind of contribution we're looking for. Nominees can be recognised for work that spans more than one area.

Via the nomination form here. It asks about the nominee's background, the impact they've made, who has benefited, challenges they've overcome, and why they deserve recognition. Supporting testimonials, media articles or photos can also be submitted.

A few minutes for the basics, though a stronger nomination will include more detail and, where possible, supporting evidence (testimonials, articles, photos).

As part of a live Smokeball webinar on Monday 7 December - "What will set the best law firms apart in 2027?" - featuring a keynote speaker, a live Q&A with the finalists, and the live winner reveal.

This has not been set up yet but the link will be live to register once the Award goes live.

1. £500 travel voucher
2. Custom engraved crystal trophy
3. Use of the Smokeball Community Hero Award 2026 logo on their website
4. A professionally produced hero video telling their story

Yes - all finalists receive a written profile, a website feature, and a social media campaign shedding light on their achievements, regardless of who wins.

1. Kirsty Pappin, Founder, Aries Legal Practice Management
2. Alex Jenner, UK Country Manager, Smokeball
3. Amy Stonton, UK Client Success Manager, Smokeball

Judging is based on the information provided in the nomination form, which can include:

1. Examples of achievements, initiative, planning, management and leadership
2. Approximate hours contributed (paid and/or unpaid)
3. Achievements and contribution to the community
4. Impact on the community or workplace
5. How the nominee's actions have inspired their community or workplace
6. Barriers or difficulties faced and overcome
7. Self-development or training (if applicable)

There will be four finalists selected.

All finalists receive a written profile, a website feature and a social media campaign - so there's meaningful recognition even without winning. Many nominees also value simply having their story told and shared.

Information collected is used solely for the purposes of running the award (judging, contacting finalists/winners, and promotional purposes related to the campaign) in line with Smokeball's Privacy Policy.