Dana Denis-Smith OBE

Recognised for contribution and work in relation to women in law

I was awarded an OBE for services to women in the legal profession. The New Year Honours List for 2025 recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.
The honours system recognises people who have:

made achievements in public life
committed themselves to serving and helping the UK

I won the Special Contribution Award for 'spearheading the First 100 years - the campaign that 'caught the imagination of the legal profession" in 2019.

An award recognising the role of women in the legal profession

Finalist in the Excellence Awards, The Law Society of England & Wales

Recognised for my contribution by being asked to become an Honorary Supporting member of the association of women judges – you must be a judge to be a member. This, we hope, is a unique reflection on your impact in the world of women in the law.

“As the founder and CEO of Obelisk Support and as the founder of the First 100 Years project, Dana Denis-Smith has put her desire to help women succeed in law at the core of her professional life. The former lawyer and journalist founded Obelisk Support in 2010 to help City lawyers – especially mothers –to work flexibly around their family and other commitments, while simultaneously providing businesses with flexible access to lawyers. The company now serves clients including Barclays, BT and… Show more

“As the founder and CEO of Obelisk Support and as the founder of the First 100 Years project, Dana Denis-Smith has put her desire to help women succeed in law at the core of her professional life. The former lawyer and journalist founded Obelisk Support in 2010 to help City lawyers – especially mothers –to work flexibly around their family and other commitments, while simultaneously providing businesses with flexible access to lawyers. The company now serves clients including Barclays, BT and Goldman Sachs. In 2014, she founded the First 100 Years project to chart the history of women in law and celebrate their achievements. 2019 marks 100 years since the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 was enacted, allowing women to enter the professions.” Show less

"We honour Dana for her own considerable achievements as a woman, lawyer and entrepreneur. But in honouring Dana, we also honour the memory of every one of those ordinary – extraordinary – women – women who changed the course of history in their own quietly remarkable way. In recognising Dana’s courage and determination to make meaningful change in the working lives of women lawyers, we recognise the quiet courage and determination of those ordinary women who won the battle, to ensure that… Show more

"We honour Dana for her own considerable achievements as a woman, lawyer and entrepreneur. But in honouring Dana, we also honour the memory of every one of those ordinary – extraordinary – women – women who changed the course of history in their own quietly remarkable way. In recognising Dana’s courage and determination to make meaningful change in the working lives of women lawyers, we recognise the quiet courage and determination of those ordinary women who won the battle, to ensure that every woman in the cathedral today has the freedom that we now enjoy and expect – economic freedom, the freedom to choose our own career without discrimination, the freedom to do what we were born to do." Prof Sarah Greer Show less

This award honours an individual (not necessarily with a background or qualification in the law) who has made an outstanding contribution in the legal sphere in the past year. The judges will select a shortlist from the entries based primarily on their achievements in the last 12 months, with the winner being decided by an online vote of the New Law Journal readership.

Winner of this international award, announced at the WeConnect Annual Gala in Washington in 2017. The Best Mentor and Role Model Award recognises WEConnect International certified women business owners that have not only developed successful businesses, but have also helped those around them do the same.

One of 3 finalists recognised for building a business whilst raising children aged 12 or under. Sponsored by the Daily Mail.https://www.everywoman.com/award/2016-natwest-everywoman-awards

Brummell’s annual ‘Inspirational Women in the City’ listing is published each September, showcasing the achievements and progress of some of the most successful women working in the Square Mile. This year, the focus is on women who champion diversity and are spearheading a cultural revolution to drive positive change in their sector and business. The Inspirational Women 2015: City Champions of Diversity listing describes Dana as: “A believer that flexible working is a real strength for lawyers… Show more

Brummell’s annual ‘Inspirational Women in the City’ listing is published each September, showcasing the achievements and progress of some of the most successful women working in the Square Mile. This year, the focus is on women who champion diversity and are spearheading a cultural revolution to drive positive change in their sector and business. The Inspirational Women 2015: City Champions of Diversity listing describes Dana as: “A believer that flexible working is a real strength for lawyers and clients, Denis-Smith founded Obelisk in 2010 to re-engage highly skilled lawyers who have young children or other caring responsibilities. Formerly a journalist at The Economist Group, Denis-Smith applies ideas from other industries to drive change for women in professional- services firms, and was recognised as the 2015 Outstanding Innovator by Legal Week. In 2014, she founded the First 100 Years project, the UK’s first digital platform dedicated to the history of women in law, delivered in a multimedia format." Show less

“Dana has been at the forefront of the movement to promote flexible working, and in particular helping mums get back to work. She is constantly finding new ways to get alternate ways of working accepted and has helped provide a voice of reason in a hotly debated area.”

Obelisk Support is a finalist in the Agile organisation category. The Agile Organisation Award
recognises workplace programmes/initiatives that demonstrate an agile/flexible approach to job design and the work environment. For example: harnessing technology; bringing flexible working policies to life or creating new ways of working

Obelisk Support is a finalist in the The Legal Innovation Awards in the Mobile and Flexible Working Innovation Category. The Awards set out to recognise and reward the people who are driving the profession forward by applying imagination and ingenuity to take good ideas off the drawing board and turn them into products that improve the delivery of legal advice.

Obelisk Support is a finalist in 2 categories at this year's awards.

Obelisk Support is a finalist in the Agile organisation category. The Opportunity Now Excellence in Practice Awards are the UK's leading diversity awards for employers who are creating equal and inclusive workplace for women.

The people on the 2013 Power Part Time List of 40 business leaders who are role models both in and outside their businesses; trailblazers of a truly modern way of working.

http://timewisefoundation.org.uk/our-work/power-part-time/2013-winners/

FT Innovative Lawyers Awards 2013

One of 10 shortlisted individuals in these annual prestigious awards. Also highly commended as a company in the Legal Pioneers Category.

WeAreTheCity, in partnership with Norton Rose Fulbright, is delighted to announce the Themis20 list – a unique recognition of 20
outstanding women in law whose careers
exemplify excellence, leadership, and a deep
commitment to driving gender equality and
inclusivity within the legal industry.
The Themis20 list was established to spotlight women who are not only advancing their careers in the legal field but are driving inclusion is transforming the legal sector. Their… Show more

WeAreTheCity, in partnership with Norton Rose Fulbright, is delighted to announce the Themis20 list – a unique recognition of 20
outstanding women in law whose careers
exemplify excellence, leadership, and a deep
commitment to driving gender equality and
inclusivity within the legal industry.
The Themis20 list was established to spotlight women who are not only advancing their careers in the legal field but are driving inclusion is transforming the legal sector. Their collective
achievements are paving the way for future generations of women across the industry.
As the legal landscape continues to evolve, these women are leading the way, tackling issues of
equality and diversity head-on. Themis20 was born from a desire to celebrate the achievements of these trailblazers and to inspire others to advocate for a more inclusive legal sector. Show less