OUTSTANDING dedication and contribution to her workplace has secured MD Law’s Kelly Wharin the Partner of the Year accolade at the Sheffield and District Law Society Awards 2026.
Partner and Head of Dispute Resolution Kelly Wharin took the honour at the society’s annual event which celebrated the region’s exceptional legal talent.
Kelly joined the newly established MD Law in 2018 to help develop the firm’s Dispute Resolution offering, and became a Partner in May 2021, specialising in contractual disputes, shareholder and partnership claims, debt recovery, and other areas including professional negligence and defamation.
Judges were impressed by her track record of working with both companies and individuals on a wide range of high value and complex disputes and litigation, but also her input into the growth and development of the 10-year-old Broomhall-based firm.
Kelly said: “I am incredibly proud to accept this award. Being a successful partner involves many challenges through both complex legal situations and contributing to a growing firm and the demands that brings. I am especially proud of the strong dispute resolution team and how we’ve developed lasting relationships with our clients, and colleagues. I look forward to continuing our dedication to excellence in dispute resolution and having an input into MD Law’s further development.”
MD Law founder Matthew Dixon said: “This award is very well deserved as Kelly exemplifies everything a Partner of the Year should represent: outstanding legal expertise, unwavering commitment to clients, inspirational leadership, and extraordinary contribution to her firm and colleagues. Kelly is a cornerstone of the firm’s partnership.
“Much of her most impactful legal work goes unrecognised due to the confidential nature of her practice. Her clients value her honesty, clarity and confidence in taking the lead, even on the most complex and challenging litigation.”
Alongside her fee earning role, Kelly leads on HR, office management, recruitment and trainee development, and is the firm’s Training Principal, supporting both the firm’s growth and the continued development of its practice areas, which has seen seven trainees qualify into roles at the firm.
MD Law Company and Commercial solicitor Luke Turner was also shortlisted in the Rising Star category at the awards.
