Jonathan, who is a committee member of Reed Smith’s LEADRS disability network, is the first individual to receive the accolade, which has previously been awarded to firms or teams.

During the ceremony, the judges noted Jonathan’s breadth and depth of work. This includes supporting Ambitious About Autism’s ‘Autism Exchange’ initiative, which provides paid, quality work experience for young autistic people nationally, to serving as the youngest-ever member of the Law Society’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, where Jonathan led initiatives and spoke across firms to break down barriers into and within the legal profession.

Jonathan was also recognised for his continued involvement as a member of Bauer Media’s diversity forum, Belonging at Bauer, which he helped to launch while seconded to the leading radio and magazine group - one of Reed Smith’s biggest Entertainment & Media clients.

Jonathan, who was accompanied to the awards by members of Bauer Media’s diversity forum, said, “It is brilliant to be recognised for this work, and in particular for the support I’ve been able to give more widely to ensuring fairness and a level playing field, not just within the legal profession, but with clients like Bauer. It has been brilliant to work with Belonging at Bauer from beginning to end and to see the change this had made.

“I’d also like to thank Reed Smith for the support they have given me to undertake this vital work.”