There are moments in every organisation’s journey that make you pause and reflect.
For IMD Solicitors LLP, being named Medium Law Firm of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards 2026 is one of those moments.
Coming just weeks after winning Family Team of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2026, receiving the joint highest number of nominations of any UK law firm, and being recognised as one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 for the third consecutive year, it marks a significant milestone in our journey.
But these achievements represent far more than a successful year.
They represent a decade of evolution.
From a niche practice to an international law firm
Ten years ago, our firm looked very different.
We didn’t begin with decades of history behind us, nor were we founded by partners leaving large national or international firms with an established client base and long-standing professional relationships.
We started as a small niche practice, primarily supporting the Polish community.
Over the years, we evolved. First into a multilingual firm, then into a recognised cross-border practice, and today into an international law firm helping global families and businesses navigate complex legal issues across borders.
Our purpose has evolved over time, but one principle has remained constant: connecting diverse communities and helping people thrive across borders.
Whether supporting an international family through divorce, advising on complex cross-border financial remedy matters involving overseas assets, providing international estate planning advice, representing clients in contentious probate disputes spanning multiple jurisdictions, advising businesses on corporate, commercial and commercial disputes in the English jurisdiction, or supporting employers and businesses with immigration and cross-border employment matters, our focus has always been on solving complex legal problems with an international dimension.
A people-first vision
Our vision is simple.
People first.
To become the number one choice for global families and businesses with a global mindset, while creating the law firm every lawyer wants to join.
That vision influences every decision we make.
It shapes the clients we act for, the people we recruit, the culture we build and the way we measure success.
Growth has never been the objective in itself.
Our ambition has always been to build a better law firm.
Sustainable Excellence
Over the years, we have developed a philosophy that we describe as Sustainable Excellence.
We believe that long-term success is built on two interconnected foundations.
The first is Excellence.
Delivering exceptional legal advice, outstanding client care and consistently achieving the highest professional standards.
Today, IMD advises clients across a range of complex practice areas, including:
- International Family Law
- Private Wealth, Estate Planning and Contentious Probate
- Corporate and Commercial Law
- Commercial Disputes
- Business Immigration
- Cross-Border Employment
Much of our work involves international families, entrepreneurs, owner-managed businesses, overseas investors and companies whose lives, assets or operations span multiple jurisdictions.
The second foundation is Sustainability.
We believe exceptional legal work should never depend upon burnout.
Our firm operates a four-day working week at 100% salary, fully flexible remote working and a people-first culture focused on wellbeing, inclusion, continuous learning and long-term careers.
Since November 2022, voluntary attrition has been limited to a single resignation, and in 2026 we were recognised by The Sunday Times Best Places to Work for the third consecutive year.
When excellence and sustainability reinforce one another, the outcome is sustainable growth.
Not growth pursued for its own sake, but growth that benefits our clients, our people and the long-term future of the firm.
Independent recognition
The last few months have brought some of the most significant external recognition in our history.
Manchester Legal Awards 2026
Winner
- Medium Law Firm of the Year
Shortlisted
- Medium Law Firm of the Year (Winner)
- Corporate Culture & Wellbeing Champions of the Year
- Family Team of the Year
Modern Law Awards 2026
Winner
- Family Team of the Year
Shortlisted
- Law Firm of the Year
- International Law Firm of the Year
- Company Culture
- Client Care
- Business Growth Award
- Rising Star of the Year
The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026
Included for the third consecutive year.
While we are incredibly proud of these achievements, awards have never been the destination.
They are independent recognition that the direction of travel is the right one.
Looking ahead
Perhaps what makes this moment so special is not simply winning Medium Law Firm of the Year.
It is the journey.
A decade ago we were a small niche firm serving one community.
Today we are recognised as one of the leading medium-sized law firms in the region, trusted by clients whose families, businesses and investments span borders and jurisdictions across the world.
For everyone who has been part of that journey: our clients, referrers, professional contacts and, above all, our incredible team, thank you.
This recognition belongs to all of you.
As proud as we are of everything we have achieved, it feels like the beginning of the next chapter rather than the end of the last one.
Our ambition remains unchanged:
To continue building a law firm defined by Sustainable Excellence, becoming the number one choice for global families and businesses with a global mindset, while remaining firmly committed to putting people first.
