gunnercooke founder Darryl Cooke receives Lifetime Achievement Award at Manchester Legal Awards 

gunnercooke is celebrating after founder and CEO Darryl Cooke was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Manchester Legal Awards 2026. 

Hosted by the Manchester Law Society, the awards celebrate legal excellence, talent and achievement across the Northwest. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has made an unrivalled impact and lasting contribution to the region’s legal services market throughout their career. 

Founded in Manchester in 2010, gunnercooke was built on Darryl’s vision to challenge the traditional law firm model by giving lawyers greater freedom, flexibility and control over their careers, while delivering an exceptional service to clients. Since then, the firm has grown into an international business with more than 600 advisors supporting over 48,000 clients worldwide, while remaining true to its people-first ethos. 

Under Darryl’s leadership, gunnercooke has become widely recognised for its business model, entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation. Alongside its commercial success, the firm has championed purpose-driven initiatives through the gunnercooke Foundation and House of Books & Friends, while continuing to invest in the wellbeing and development of its people. 

Darryl Cooke, Founder of gunnercooke said: “It is a real honour to receive this award. While it has my name on it, it reflects the incredible people who have shared the journey and believed in a different way of building a law firm. We set out to create something that put people first, empowered talented lawyers and challenged convention, and I’m immensely proud of the impact that vision has had on our clients, our people and the wider legal community.” 

The firm was also a finalist in the Corporate Culture and Wellbeing Champions of the Year category, while Partner Philippa Torkington and her team were finalists for Private Client Team of the Year.