Frances Murphy played a major role last year in ensuring Slaughter and May continued its enviable success in the corporate arena.

A partner since 2000, Murphy is the co-chair of Slaughters’ pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and healthcare group. For much of 2005 she advised Euronext on its potential bid for the London Stock Exchange (LSE). At press time, the battle between Deutsche Börse, Euronext and Australia’s Macquarie Bank to take over the LSE was still raging.

In March Murphy advised BAE Systems on the financing of the acquisition of United Defense Industries by its whollyowned US subsidiary BAE Systems North America.

And as a winning endorsement of Murphy’s M&A expertise, Slaughters beat Herbert Smith to snare the lead role advising UK-based glassmaker Pilkington on a potential £2.7bn takeover by Japan’s Nippon Sheet Glass.