Laura Hughes
Laura has advised the public sector in the UK on all aspects of decision making and governance for more than 25 years. She has developed an expertise in local government reorganisation and regional and national devolution, establishing the UK’s first Combined County Authority; and advising local authorities across England and Wales on all aspects of local government law. Laura also advises the UK and Welsh Government, and large numbers of arms length bodies; on all public law matters.
Laura also leads a department of more than 160 people, and is a key part of the firm’s Government sector. She was named in the Lawyer Hot 100 in 2025 (partly for her groundbreaking work in devolution); as well as being named National Law Firm Leader of the Year at the Women and Diversity in Law Awards 2025, and Partner of the Year 2025 at the British Legal Awards.