Sandra Wallace, CBE

  Powerlistee
  Law & Religion

Sandra Wallace is a distinguished employment lawyer on a global scale. With nearly 30 years of experience in the legal sector, she has advised international organisations and government bodies on some of the most complex and sensitive workforce matters. Her practice spans business reorganisations, executive-level disputes, and high-profile discrimination and equality cases.

In November 2024, she was promoted to deputy managing partner and managing director for DLA Piper’s eight international practice groups. In this role, she sits on the firm’s executive committee, working closely with the international managing partner and global co-CEO to shape and execute the firm’s worldwide strategy. Her portfolio of UK and multinational businesses has included NCR, Hilton, Genting, and Avon. She also sits on the DLA Piper Diversity and Inclusion Board. Sandra has been with the firm since graduating in 1992 and became a partner in 2001.

Beyond her legal and executive roles, Sandra is a passionate advocate for equity, opportunity, and systemic change. She chairs the board of trustees at Making the Leap, a charity dedicated to improving access to opportunity for young people from less advantaged backgrounds. She also serves as a trustee at National Numeracy and has previously co-chaired the Government’s Social Mobility Commission and the City of London Taskforce on social mobility in professional and financial services.

Sandra’s influence extends into education leadership. She is Pro-Chancellor for Social Mobility and Honorary Professor at the University of Wolverhampton, where she champions access to education for underrepresented communities. In recognition of her contributions to the legal profession and to social mobility, Sandra was awarded a CBE in 2022.

View other Powerlistees, view the top 10, or take a look at the Powerlist Alumni.