Legal 500
This month, catch up on upcoming rankings launches and submission deadlines across EMEA, APAC, the UK and the US, plus research kick-offs in Texas and the Central US.
Discover key events and awards, from the Legal Business Awards 2026 to the UK ESG Awards and our Enterprise GC Summit, plus updates on GC Powerlists and Summits worldwide.
Explore the latest Country Comparative Guides and hot topics, including employee incentives, public procurement, energy, and cross-border legal trends.
Finally, check out Future Lawyers 2026, our redesigned survey giving insights into trainee and junior lawyer experiences.
? Stay informed, plan your submissions, and don’t miss these opportunities to connect and celebrate excellence.
Upcoming Rankings Launches and Submission Deadlines
EMEA:early release launch: 18 March 2026
EMEA: full release: 25 March 2026
China Elite: second tranche will be launched on the 11 March 2026
APAC: 2027 guidelines will be announced in early March 2026
Asia Pacific Green Ambassadors: 2027 submission guidelines will be announced in early March 2026
UK Green Ambassadors: 2027 submission deadline is on 20 March 2026
US Elite/Midwest: submissions and referees deadline 6 March 2026
London and PATMA deadline: Friday 20th March 2026
Research starting:
w/c 16 March 2026:research starts for markets across Texas and the Central US. We are excited to return to Houston, Dallas, and Austin with expanded BPA coverage, and cover new markets including San Antonio, Oklahoma, and Nebraska.
UK Events
Nominations Open for the Legal Business Awards 2026
?Entry deadline: Thursday 2 April 2026
?Awards ceremony: Tuesday 29 September | ?JW Marriot Grosvenor House London
?Event Information – Legal Business Awards
For more than 25 years, the Legal Business Awards have set the benchmark for excellence in the UK legal market, celebrating the firms, teams and individuals shaping the profession today.
If your team has delivered outstanding results, driven innovation, or made a meaningful impact over the past year, this is your opportunity to gain industry-wide recognition. Whether you are a global firm, specialist boutique, chambers or in-house legal team, there is a category designed to reflect your achievements.
The awards span a range of categories. ?View the full list of awards categories
Entries are judged by an independent panel of senior legal experts. To stand out, submissions should be concise, evidence-based and clearly aligned to the published judging criteria.
?Review the submission guidance and enter now
To find out about sponsorship opportunities, contact Kylie Mackenzie at kylie.mackenzie@legal500.com
UK ESG Awards 2026
? Thursday, 30 April 2026 | ?Intercontinental London Park Lane
? Event Information – UK ESG Awards
Don’t miss the opportunity to book your table for the UK ESG Awards. For the third-year running, the Legal 500 ESG Awards return to acknowledge the top ESG initiatives across the UK legal market.
This event recognises organisations across the legal profession – from private practice firms and in-house teams to the Bar – that are driving meaningful impact across all aspects of ESG. The awards highlight pioneering sustainable strategies, progress in diversity and inclusion, leadership in social mobility, and outstanding pro bono work, celebrating those who are raising the bar for excellence and responsibility within the profession.
To book your table or enquire about sponsorship, contact Kylie Mackenzie at Kylie.MacKenzie@legal500.com
Enterprise GC 2026
? 9-10 March 2026 I ? Hilton London Syon Park
?Event Information – Enterprise GC
Don’t miss out on the Legal 500’s flagship summit for general counsel and in-house leaders in association with Legal Business. The summit gathers Europe’s legal elite for two days of high-level discussion and debate. With more than 100 senior speakers and delegates, the summit offers a unique environment to connect, collaborate and shape the future of the profession.
The 2026 programme will bring together an outstanding roster of leading general counsel, alongside prominent voices from business, academia and private practice. Together, they will offer fresh insights into the evolving role of today’s legal leader – making this an event not to be missed.
Northern Powerhouse Awards
?Thursday 12 March | ?Royal Armouries Museum
?Event information – Northern Powerhouse Awards
To book your table, please contact Kylie Mackenzie at kylie.mackenzie@legal500.com
Upcoming Global Awards
Mexico Awards
?Thursday 16 April | ?Hyatt Regency Mexico City
?Event information – Mexico Awards
To book your table, please contact David Freeman at David.Freeman@legal500.com
Southeast Asia Awards
?Thursday 30 April | ?JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach
?Event Information – Southeast Asia Awards
GC Powerlist & GC Summit Series
Upcoming GC Powerlists
- South Africa – Tuesday 3 March 2026
- Namibia – Thursday 5 March 2026
- New York – Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Ecuador – Tuesday 17 March 2026
- Poland – Thursday 19 March 2026
- Malaysia – Thursday 26 March 2026
If you know someone who should be on a Powerlist, you can nominate them!
Upcoming GC Summits
- GC Summit Norway 2026 – Wednesday 11 March | Hotel Continental Oslo ?Find out more and register
- GC Summit Austria 2026 – Tuesday 17 March | Vienna Marriott ?Find out more and register
- GC Summit China: Beijing 2026 – Tuesday 24 March | Park Hyatt Hotel Beijing ? Find out more and register
- GC Summit Italy 2026 – Wednesday 25 March | Excelsior Hotel Gallia Piazza ?Find out more and register
- GC Summit Philippines 2026 – Thursday 26 March | New World Makati Hotel?Find out more and register
Upcoming Forums
- ESG Forum Portugal – Thursday 26 March | PLMJ Advogados? Find out more and register
Country Comparative Guides
New Launches: Country Comparative Guides
We’re excited to share the latest updates to our Country Comparative Guides, created in collaboration with leading lawyers worldwide. These guides are free to access and designed to provide practical, jurisdiction-specific insights across key areas of law.
Employees incentives in association with Travers Smith
Examines Employee Incentives frameworks covering plans, share options and compensation, highlighting key legal and regulatory developments. ?View Employee Incentives Guide
Public Procurement in association with Shoosmiths
Addresses topics such as government contracting laws, complex contracts, the evaluation of bids and common challenges. ?View Public Procurement Guide
Energy – Oil & Gas in association with Bracewell LLP
Analyses oil and gas issues, covering exploration, resources, safety, regulation, low-carbon trends, and key industry challenges. ?View Energy – Oil & Gas Guide
Joint Venture in association with DLA Piper
Explores joint venture issues, covering duties, restrictions, tax, structures, protections, common challenges, and upcoming legal developments. ?View Joint Ventures Guide
Get in touch with antony.dine@legal500.com if you’d like to learn more about contributing to one of our Country Comparative Guides.
Legal Landscapes – Spotlight on Public Procurement
Explore the latest Legal Landscape chapter in our Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide for public procurement. The chapter provides a clear overview of public procurement in Bolivia, highlighting the legislative framework and commercial realities that shape government contracting. Bolivia’s procurement system is grounded in public?interest principles and governed by the Basic Regulations for the Procurement of Goods, Works, General Services, and Consulting Services (SD181). Read this article to find out key tips for clients involved in these matters and examine the biggest threats and opportunities in this area over the next twelve months.
? Read the full Legal Landscape
Thank you to Dentons Guevara & Gutierrez for their expertise in this area.
Hot Topic: US vs Western European Management Incentive Plans in PE-Backed Companies
In the latest Employee Incentives Legal 500 Country Comparative Guide, the Hot Topic compares US and Western European private equity management incentive structures.
Linklaters examines the primary management incentive structures in US and Western European PE transactions, the tax treatment driving design choices, standard commercial terms including leaver provisions and vesting, economic considerations, and cross-border harmonisation challenges.
As private equity continues to globalise, understanding how US profits interests and Western European sweet equity structures achieve similar alignment goals through different tax and legal frameworks is essential for sponsors seeking consistency, competitiveness and compliance across borders.
Get in touch with antony.dine@legal500.com to discover the full potential of Legal Landscapes and Hot Topics.
Future Lawyers
The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Trainee Solicitor and NQ Survey 2026 is now live!
Now in its 22nd year, Future Lawyersis evolving to respond to a more data-hungry market with new, cutting-edge, trusted analysis.
This year’s redesigned survey is built around the most impactful drivers of optimal team performance and offers even greater insights into what today’s trainees and junior lawyers think of their law firms.
The 2026/27 Future Lawyers guide will be published in September 2026.
Get in touch with us at futurelawyers@legal500.com if your firm would like to take part. We’d love to hear from you!
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