Judith features in The Lawyer Hot 100 2025

Judith Houston, a senior associate in Mills & Reeve's corporate team, has been named in The Lawyer Hot 100 2025. 

Judith joined the firm in 2019 as a trainee, after an eight-year career in ESG during which she worked in Australia, Denmark and London, latterly with the LEGO Group.

Leveraging her expertise in ESG, Judith has played a crucial role in establishing Mills & Reeve’s ESG Legal Services practice. With a major focus on sustainability reporting and governance, she’s a vital member of the firm’s London team. In addition to her legal skills, Judith continues to showcase her commercial acumen by leading a four-month project aimed at enhancing the firm's governance advisory services. 

The Lawyer recognised Judith’s eighteen-month part-time secondment as in-house legal counsel for global non-profit Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) which saw her lead the legal aspects of CEPI hosting the secretariate of the Regionalized Vaccine Manufacturing Collaborative (RVMC), a collaboration between CEPI, the World Economic Forum, and the US National Academy of Medicine which aims to address inequities in the global vaccine production ecosystem. 

Judith said: “To be recognised in The Lawyer Hot 100 is as big a surprise as it is a compliment. However, I owe my place on this list to the unwavering support of the partners and colleagues at Mills & Reeve, particularly our expanding ESG team, who have played a crucial role in my journey, and to my husband. Achievements in life are rarely accomplished alone.”

Beyond her corporate role, Judith is dedicated to using her legal skills for the wider good. She is the founder of the non-profit organisation “Courtroom Confident”, which empowers women affected by domestic violence and involved in court proceedings to understand the legal process and confidently prepare for court. Courtroom Confident is currently piloting in her native Northern Ireland.

To become a member of The Lawyer Hot 100 a lawyer needs to display both excellence and relevance in their chosen field. Every year it includes an incredibly diverse mix of legal professionals all doing amazing work. See the full Hot 100 list.

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