WINNERS

• 1st - Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer famously revolutionised its partnership with a major restructuring and the results have been exceptional. The leaner, more focused firm has had an incredible year, landing roles on practically every high-profile deal the City has had to offer. From rights issues to major transatlantic buy-outs the firm has been very much to the fore.
Advising the Bank of England on its £50bn liquidity support programme, with financial services partner Michael Raffan leading, and landing a role on EMI’s buyout by Terra Firma, on which corporate head Mark Rawlinson led, are all in a days work for Freshfields lawyers.
A couple of top quality hires - Mike Goetz and Maurice Allen from White & Case - pay testament to the firm’s standing within the legal market. As a leading global brand Freshfields has been quick to recognise the importance of internationalisation, and is making inroads in its quest to build up world class practices around the globe to mirror its success in London.

• 2nd - Stephenson Harwood
In the past year, Stephenson Harwood has built up a City-beating AIM practice as well as commercial litigation and real estate departments to rival any mid-market firm. The effort has been rewarded with a deluge of client wins, including KPMG and Lazard Asset Management. The firm is reaping the benefits financially. Chief executive Sunil Gadhia has brought the firm back from the brink with prudent cost management. Three years ago profits per equity partner (PEP) stood at £280,000. This year the firm managed a healthy £530,000. All this while at the same time expanding the equity pool and widening the lockstep.

• 3rd - Nabarro
High profile client wins including RAB Capital on its Northern Rock investment, a place on the United Biscuits panel and ongoing advice to Land Securities have all helped Nabarro generate double-digit revenue growth this year and push PEP through the £600K barrier. This impressive client base is no small thanks to a successful rebranding programme which saw it drop its niche west-end property image and assert its position as a modern City firm offering no-nonsense advice. That new image has extended far and wide with the firm recently extending its European best friends alliance to encompass Italy and Spain.

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Open to UK partnerships, or UK partnerships that have merged with US firms but retain a strong local identity and market share.

Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• Strategic vision
• Strong partnership ethos
• Strong financial performance and growth
• Consistent excellence in their chosen sectors
• Excellent talent management

NB: Entrants must have entered a minimum of two other categories to be eligible for this award.

Entries welcome from:
Private practice teams	√
Nominations by in-house teams	√

Previous Winners:
2007	Trowers & Hamlins
2006	Clifford Chance
2005	Slaughter and May
2004	Berwin Leighton Paisner
2003	Herbert Smith