Jenine Abdo named finalist at the Legal News Wales Awards 2026 (13 April 2026)

Jenine Abdo, Family & Child Care Director at Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Cardiff office, has been named as a finalist in the Leadership Award category at the Legal News Wales Awards 2026.

The awards celebrate the individuals, teams and organisations shaping the future of the legal sector in Wales, recognising excellence across leadership, innovation, client experience, culture and community impact.

Jenine has been shortlisted for the Leadership Award, which recognises outstanding and inspirational leaders who demonstrate strategic vision and make a positive impact on the profession. Judges will assess leadership across areas including innovation, diversity and inclusion, ethical practice, and measurable influence within the sector.

In addition to this individual recognition, Jenine, alongside Trish D’Souza in their roles as Co-Chairs of the Cardiff and District Law Society (CDLS) EDI Committee, has also been shortlisted in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award category, highlighting the wider impact of their collaborative work in advancing inclusion within the legal profession.

“I am humbled, albeit honoured, to be shortlisted alongside such incredible leaders whom I admire within the Welsh legal community. Many thanks to Duncan Lewis for supporting my ambition, and to the judges who have shortlisted me. I am also so proud as a Past President of the CDLS (2022-2023) and DLS EDI Co-Chair of the work CDLS has achieved to have been shortlisted in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion category. Best wishes to all the fantastic finalists across all categories. I have been in the EDI Chair role for five years, and I could not be prouder or happier with what we as a Society have achieved.”

A highly respected figure within the Welsh legal community, Jenine has played a key role in driving cultural and structural change across the profession. Her leadership within Cardiff and District Law Society – where she has served as both Co-Chair of the EDI Committee and President – has helped to strengthen representation, promote inclusivity, and create meaningful opportunities for collaboration across the sector.

She has led a number of impactful initiatives, including the development of dedicated diversity-focused committees, the delivery of large-scale training events for legal professionals, and the launch of inclusive programmes designed to foster greater cultural understanding within the profession.

Alongside her professional leadership, Jenine is deeply committed to supporting the wider community. She works closely with local organisations, prisons and professional bodies to improve access to legal support and regularly mentors young people, helping to inspire the next generation of legal professionals.

Finalists will now progress to the next stage of the judging process, which includes in-person interviews with an independent panel in Cardiff. Winners will be announced at the Legal News Wales Awards ceremony on 4 June 2026.

Jenine’s shortlisting reflects both her significant contribution to the legal profession in Wales and her ongoing commitment to driving positive, lasting change; the very reasons she wanted to enter the profession were to give a voice and help create opportunities for others.