A law firm in Stoke-on-Trent has been recognised nationally as one of the best places to work in the UK.

Smith Partnership, which supports clients across Staffordshire and the East Midlands, has been named in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026 list.

The firm was recognised in the Medium Organisation category, which celebrates employers with between 50 and 249 employees who demonstrate a strong commitment to workplace culture, employee wellbeing and engagement.

Smith Partnership achieved an overall happiness rating of 81 per cent, with staff engagement reported as seven per cent higher than the national average for the legal services industry.

For clients in Stoke-on-Trent, the recognition reflects the firm's focus on building supported, engaged teams across its offices, something Smith Partnership says is central to the service it provides.

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list

The Sunday Times Best Places to Work list is based on employee feedback, with organisations assessed across key areas including reward and recognition, pride, information sharing, empowerment, wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Smith Partnership scored strongly across several of these areas, including 83 per cent for instilling pride, 83 per cent for empowerment, 81 per cent for wellbeing and 85 per cent for job satisfaction.

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The firm says the result is particularly meaningful because it is based on feedback from its own people.

Why workplace culture matters for local legal clients

For many people seeking legal advice in Stoke-on-Trent, the experience they receive is shaped not only by legal expertise, but by communication, consistency and the support behind the scenes.

Smith Partnership says its investment in workplace culture is designed to help teams feel confident, supported and able to deliver a personal service to clients.

James Johnson, Managing Partner at Smith Partnership, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work in the UK.

"This award means more to us than most, because it is our own people who have made it happen. Their feedback is what drives this recognition, and that makes it truly special.

"We have always believed that a happy, supported and engaged team is the foundation of everything we do for our clients, and to have that validated on a national stage is something we are incredibly proud of."

Recognition follows investment in people and development

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The award follows Smith Partnership's continued investment in its people and wider communities.

The firm has celebrated its apprenticeship programme, highlighting its commitment to supporting the next generation of legal professionals, and has also achieved Disability Confident Committed status, demonstrating its focus on equal access and an inclusive workplace.

Smith Partnership also recently completed a successful 2026 Lexcel audit, in which the firm was described as "big but still personal". Auditors noted that teams worked well across offices and that learning and development continued to support long careers within the firm.

Serving Stoke-on-Trent

Smith Partnership works with individuals, families and businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area, offering legal support across a range of services.

The firm says the national recognition is a positive moment for colleagues across all offices, including those supporting clients locally in Staffordshire.

James added: "This is a brilliant moment for everyone at Smiths. I could not be prouder of our achievement."

For those in Stoke-on-Trent looking for legal advice, the message behind the award is that strong client service starts with supported people.

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Smith Partnership's team can advise individuals and businesses on a wide range of legal matters, including family law, employment law, conveyancing, wills and probate, dispute resolution and commercial legal support.

To find out more about their Stoke office, visit here.

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