Lawyers from Burges Salmon, Irwin Mitchell and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list, alongside a number of KCs.
Ian Salter, who heads up the nuclear and fusion team at Burges Salmon in Bristol, has been awarded an OBE for his services to the nuclear industry.
Salter (pictured above left), who has been at the firm for over 30 years, is recognised in the Legal 500 as a Hall of Fame partner for energy and projects and environment, as well as a leading partner for power.
‘I’m delighted and honoured to have been recognised in this year’s Birthday Honours,’ said Salter.
He continued: ‘My work in the nuclear industry has always been a team effort, and this recognition reflects the support and collaboration of many colleagues at Burges Salmon, as well as others across the wider sector.’
‘I’m very grateful to everyone, including those at Burges Salmon, clients and colleagues from the Nuclear industry, who I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years,’ Salter concluded.
At Irwin Mitchell, national head of asbestos and occupational disease Adrian Budgen has been given an OBE for services to the victims of asbestos-related diseases and their families.
Budgen is based in Sheffield and has spent over 35 years at the firm, making partner in 1994. He is also recognised by Legal 500 as a leading partner for personal injury.
Meanwhile, HSF Kramer senior associate Faria Ali (pictured above right) has also been awarded an MBE for charitable and voluntary services. She serves as chair on the steering committee of NOTICED, a non-profit promoting diversity in the legal sector, and chairs the firm’s multiculturalism network.
Ali works in the firm’s corporate team in London, where she started her career in 2014.
Commenting on her award, Ali said: ‘I am honoured to receive an MBE for services to charity and voluntary work. From volunteering at university to roles with Muslim Aid, the British Pakistan Foundation, NOTICED and the UNDP, to name a few, I’ve remained committed to supporting communities and advancing inclusion.’
She continued: ‘I’m grateful for the platform at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, which has enabled me to amplify this work and drive meaningful impact.’
This year’s list also include Jules O’Riordain, a partner at music, media and entertainment boutique Sound Advice, who previously had a successful DJing career as Judge Jules, including hosting a long-running show on Radio 1. He has been awarded an MBE for services to music to entertainment law and to young people.
On the Bar front, Richard Brabazon Macrory KC has received a knighthood for his services to environmental law. He is emeritus professor of environmental law at University College London, and is known as one of the leading environmental lawyers of his generation.
Estelle Dehon KC of Cornerstone Barristers has been awarded an OBE for services to environmental law. She is co-chair of the Bar Council’s Climate Crisis Working Group (which this year became the Climate and Nature Panel) and in 2024 was named Environmental/Sustainability Bar Champion of the Year at the Legal 500 UK ESG Awards.
Garden Court Chambers barrister Kate Aubrey-Johnson also received an OBE for services to children and the youth justice system, while Brick Court’s Harry Matovu KC was awarded an OBE for services to business and the legal profession.
Other well-known names recognised include Richard Moorhead, professor of law and professional ethics at Exeter University, who has been awarded an OBE for his services to legal ethics.
In recent years, Moorhead has led the Post Office Project, reviewing lessons for lawyers’ ethics and corporate governance following the Post Office scandal.
