Firm News
Recognized for Excellence: Benjamin Diessel Named Attorney of the Year as Wiggin and Dana Earns Five Honors at the 2026 New England Legal Awards
Wiggin and Dana is proud to announce that it earned five honors at The American Lawyer’s 2026 New England Legal Awards, including Attorney of the Year for partner Benjamin Diessel and Litigation Department of the Year wins in three categories. The firm was also recognized as a finalist in additional categories, including Law Firm of the Year. Winners were announced at the awards ceremony held October 8 at the Westin Copley Place in Boston.
“Congratulations to Ben, Emmett, and our litigation teams on these well-deserved honors,” said Tim Diemand, Managing Partner. “Being recognized in so many categories, alongside the region’s top firms and lawyers, speaks to the depth of talent at Wiggin and Dana and to the work our attorneys do for clients every day.”
Individual Honors
- Attorney of the Year: Benjamin Diessel
- Connecticut Rising Star: Emmett Gilles
Ben, who helps lead the firm’s Antitrust and Technology Disputes Practice Group, was recognized for a portfolio of work that includes the Murdoch family trust litigation and major antitrust and mass-arbitration matters, as well as his pro bono and advocacy work. Several of these matters, including the Murdoch litigation and the mass-arbitration work, were ones in which Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP brought the firm in as co-counsel. Ben co-leads many of these matters with partner Nathan Denning as part of the joint practice they have built together.
Firmwide Recognition
- Litigation Departments of the Year – Insurance
- Litigation Departments of the Year – Probate
- Litigation Departments of the Year – White Collar/Corporate Compliance
Celebrating Our Finalists
In addition to these wins, Wiggin and Dana was named a finalist in other categories, further demonstrating the depth and breadth of our practice.
- Law Firm of the Year
- Litigation Departments of the Year – Appellate
- Litigation Departments of the Year – Commercial Litigation
- Litigation Departments of the Year – General Litigation
- M&A Attorney of the Year: Heather Rahilly
- Legal Innovators & Disrupters: James Greifzu
The American Lawyer’s 2026 New England Legal Awards recognize excellence and achievement across the legal profession in our region.
To learn more, click here.
