Recognition celebrates a pioneering leader Dana Denis-Smith, champion of flexible legal innovation and greater opportunities for LegalTech
London, UK — 28 September 2026
Obelisk is proud to announce that its Founder and CEO, Dana Denis-Smith, has been recognised by TechRound as one of its Top 10 Women in Legaltech in 2026, celebrating influential women shaping the future of legal technology and innovation.
Published on 28 September 2026, TechRound’s annual feature highlights ten women making a significant impact across the legal technology landscape, from artificial intelligence and dispute resolution to access to justice and legal innovation. Dana’s inclusion recognises her contribution to transforming the delivery of legal services and championing a more inclusive, flexible and sustainable legal profession.
A central part of Obelisk’s mission is its Returners Programme, which supports lawyers returning to the profession following a career break. According to TechRound’s profile, the programme has achieved a 65% success rate across its cohorts, demonstrating the value of creating alternative pathways back into legal work.
Dana’s recognition also reflects her wider contribution to advancing women in law. Alongside leading Obelisk:
- she founded the First 100 Years campaign, now known as Next 100 Years, which celebrates the history, achievements and future of women in the legal profession
- she was awarded an OBE in the 2025 New Year Honours for her services to gender equality in the legal profession and serves as Deputy Vice President of the Law Society of England and Wales
Innovation in legal services has always been about more than technology. It’s about rethinking how we work, how we access talent and how we create a profession where more people can thrive.
At Obelisk, we challenge traditional legal resourcing by connecting businesses with exceptional talent and creating flexible opportunities for lawyers. I believe the future of law depends on embracing both technological progress and the people behind it. This recognition celebrates that mission and the incredible community that makes it possible.
The recognition comes at a time when the legal sector is navigating significant change, with technology and artificial intelligence reshaping how legal services are delivered. While much of the conversation focuses on technological innovation, Obelisk’s approach demonstrates that progress also depends on rethinking how legal expertise is accessed, how talent is supported and how the profession can work better for people and businesses alike.
For Obelisk, the recognition reinforces its continued commitment to connecting organisations with exceptional legal talent while helping experienced professionals find meaningful, flexible opportunities to contribute their expertise.
About Obelisk
Obelisk Support is a leading UK alternative legal services provider specialising in flexible legal resourcing. Founded by Dana Denis-Smith in 2010, Obelisk connects businesses with highly experienced legal professionals who deliver expert support across a broad range of practice areas, enabling legal teams to scale capability quickly and effectively. The business has been at the forefront of challenging traditional legal career models, creating more flexible opportunities for lawyers while helping clients access outstanding legal talent.
Today, Obelisk supports a network of more than 2,000 legal professionals and hundreds of clients, including 35 of the FTSE 100 organisations. Built on its #HumanFirst values, the company continues to champion flexibility, diversity and inclusion, helping to create a legal sector where talented people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to thrive.
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