When he was at Allen & Overy, Euan Gorrie spent most of his time acting for banks. Since he arrived at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett two years ago, he has reinvented himself as one of the most effective sponsor lawyers in the business. His work has meant that private equity house Blackstone has remained with Simpson Thacher for most of its UK financing requirements.

Gorrie advised the acquisitive US private equity house on its purchase of TDC - the largest LBO in Europe in 2005. That deal probably made up for the disappointment of missing out on Wind, where he also acted for Blackstone.

Head of the UK practice in London, Gorrie reeled in his old colleague Tony Keal this year and continued to build a solid finance business with Stephen Short, formerly of Ashurst. Gorrie and Short keep a hand in for lenders, with work for JPMorgan among others.