Austria Firm of the Year   
BINDER GRÖSSWANG Rechtsanwälte GmbH 
CERHA HEMPEL 
CMS 
DORDA 
Freshfields  
Schoenherr 
Wolf Theiss 

Winner: Schoenherr 

Schoenherr maintains an excellent position in the Austrian market, boasting a range of top-tier rankings across key practice areas alongside its recent inclusion in the areas of Tax, TMT and Insurance. The lawyers continue to solidify their market-leading positions, with improved or new rankings in areas such as Healthcare & Life sciences, Insurance,  Banking & Finance and Intellectual Property. Schoenherr’s clients particularly appreciate the law firm’s full-service approach and ability to work collaboratively across practice areas: “Schoenherr has experts in almost every topic so is able to deal with all the required details.” One impressed interviewee remarkes: “The Schoenherr team is very broad which means that enquiries and elaborations are always carried out very quickly and meticulously. The team can only be described as outstanding.”  

Baltic-wide Firm of the Year   
COBALT 
Ellex 
Sorainen 
TGS Baltic

Winner: COBALT  

COBALT is a clear market leader in the Baltics. It is unsurpassed in its number of rankings and unrivalled in its number of top-tier departments, moving up to Band 1 for Real Estate in Lithuania in the Chambers Europe 2024 guide. Furthermore, the law firm has more top-ranked practitioners than any other firm in the region. This Baltic powerhouse consistently acts on the largest transactions and disputes across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. “COBALT is an institution of scale and there are experts for very different subjects,” enthuses one client, while another similarly highlights the law firm’s full-service prowess: “The lawyers really like to deep-dive into specific issues and bring examples of legal precedents, and we like that they provide a personal touch. They cover a broad range of legal practices such as tax, disputes and employment matters which is valuable for our business.” 

Belgium Firm of the Year   
Allen & Overy 
Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick 
Linklaters 
Loyens & Loeff 
Stibbe 

Winner: Allen & Overy 

Allen & Overy distinguishes itself again this year as a dominant force in Belgium, with its highly praised Tax team advancing to the highest tier of the rankings, thus adding to the law firm’s top-rated position in seven other practice areas. Lawyers also saw improvements in their own rankings, strengthening the law firms’ position in Dispute Resolution and Tax respectively. Impressed clients note that “there is strong confidence in A&O’s ability to meet targets both in terms of timing as well as quality.” Another interviewee highlights: “Allen & Overy has innovative lawyers who work pragmatically and thoughtfully, putting clients’ interests first and without losing sight of the final objective of the transaction.”  

CEE Firm of the Year   
CMS 
Dentons 
DLA Piper  
Schoenherr 
Wolf Theiss  

Winner: CMS 

CMS is described by one impressed CEE-based client as “unique from the point of view of geographical coverage; we are present in ten European countries and the firm can cover all of our jurisdictions, in all areas of expertise.” CMS covers the CEE region from the firm’s 13 offices and has top Central & Eastern Europe rankings in Corporate M&A, Banking & Finance and Projects and Energy, in addition to its offering in Real Estate. The firm regularly handles major cross-border transactions in the region, providing seamless advice to its clients. Interviewees also laud the lawyers for their “reliability and knowledge of local legislations.” 

Czech Republic Firm of the Year   
Baker McKenzie 
Clifford Chance  
Dentons  
Kocián Šolc Balaštík 
White & Case 
Wolf Theiss 

Winner: White & Case 

White & Case has established itself as one of the leading law firms in the Czech legal market, with top rankings across Banking & Finance, Projects and Energy, Corporate M&A and Dispute Resolution, as well as moving into the top tier for Restructuring & Insolvency. The firm has a deep bench of practitioners and is recognised for its cross-border capabilities and handling of international work. Clients laud the firm for being “solution-oriented and business-oriented,” before going on to note that the lawyers “are of course doing the legal work, but taking very much into account the interests of the company the possibilities and to help find solutions.” 

Denmark Firm of the Year   
Bech-Bruun 
Gorrissen Federspiel 
Kromann Reumert 
Plesner 

Winner: Kromann Reumert 

Kromann Reumert is widely lauded as “among the absolute best in Denmark.” No other law firm in the Danish market has the same number of top-tier departments or lawyers, with market-leading expertise in Banking & Finance, Competition/European Law, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Energy, Information Technology, Intellectual Property, Restructuring/Insolvency and Tax. One client enthuses: “Kromann Reumert is simply top-notch in Denmark. It is a true full-service law firm with highly skilled lawyers in each area of expertise.” 

Finland Firm of the Year   
Borenius 
Castrén & Snellman 
Hannes Snellman 
Krogerus 
Roschier 

Winner: Roschier 

Roschier is an outstanding law firm in the Finnish market, with more Band 1 practices than any other law firm in the jurisdiction. This market-leading law firm also enjoys the most ranked practitioners in Finland, in addition to the most top-tier lawyers. Its first-class expertise is further demonstrated by the fact it is the only law firm in Finland to have lawyers recognised as star practitioners, with one in Employment and another in Intellectual Property. Clients state that “it is the best law firm in Finland,” highlighting its “top-class service level and responsiveness” as well as its seamless cooperation with its Stockholm office. 

France Firm of the Year   
Allen & Overy 
Bredin Prat  
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton 
Clifford Chance 
Gide Loyrette Nouel 
Latham & Watkins 
Linklaters 
White & Case 

Winner: Allen & Overy 

Allen & Overy Paris office continues to grow from strength to strength. Already a premier destination for banking & finance, capital markets, intellectual property and public law advice, the practice moves up in the rankings this year in our Corporate/M&A table and sees team members being ranked for the first time in our Real Estate, Environment and Capital Markets: Structured Finance rankings. Allen & Overy is routinely called upon by an extensive list of household names to act on market-leading transactions and cross-border disputes. The firm receives high praise from its clients, one of whom says, "Allen & Overy combines reactivity, knowledge of the market and quality of execution to a level that creates full comfort and confidence." 

France Specialist Firm of the Year 
Arsene Taxand 
Fairway 
GBS Disputes 
Signature Litigation 
Spitz Poulle Kannan 
Three Crowns 
Trinity International 

Winner: Three Crowns 

Three Crowns quickly positioned itself as a leading firm at the forefront of the French international arbitration market. The practice boasts a strong track record and spans every arbitration-related issues, acting for major corporates and sovereign states. The team’s success is a testament to its deep bench of talent who consistently deliver quality for clients facing complex arbitrations in the oil and gas, construction, and technology sectors. 

Germany Firm of the Year   
Ashurst  
Freshfields  
Gleiss Lutz 
Hengeler Mueller 
Hogan Lovells  
Latham & Watkins 
Linklaters  

Winner: Hengeler Mueller 

Hengeler Mueller has been a consistent top player in the German market. The law firm covers a broad range of legal fields and has an impressive performance in the rankings, with Band 1 rankings in M&A, Private Equity, Banking & Finance and Dispute Resolution. Additionally, the firm’s Corporate Compliance and White-Collar Crime team enjoyed promotions in the rankings for Chambers Europe 2024 guide. Interviewees highlight the lawyers for their “outstanding ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters in a very comprehensive, diligent and at the same time pragmatic way.” 

Greece Firm of the Year   
Bernitsas 
Karatzas 
Koutalidis 
Lambadarios 
PotamitisVekris 
Zepos & Yannopoulos  

Winner: Koutalidis  

Koutalidis Law Firm has enjoyed a remarkable year in the Greek market. In Chambers Europe 2024, the firm continues to be recognised as a market leader for Banking and Finance and has also achieved a top ranking in the field of Dispute Resolution, of which one client appraised: "Koutalidis has the ability to understand complex business issues and combine different fields of law for a holistic approach in every case." The team has also been recognised for excelling in the field of Corporate/M&A and having a particularly robust practice in the TMT sector. Other sectors of strength include Energy, whilst the firm has also achieved recognition for the first time in Real Estate. Sources elaborate: "The depth and breadth of the team at Koutalidis is extraordinary. They are extremely knowledgeable and very thorough." 

Hungary Firm of the Year   
CMS 
Bird & Bird 
DLA Piper Hungary 
Lakatos, Köves & Partners 
Szecskay Attorneys at Law

Winner: CMS 

CMS has a prominent presence in the Hungarian market, maintaining its top positions in key areas such as Corporate M&A, Banking and Finance, Dispute resolution and Competition, in addition to its full-service coverage of other practice areas. The firm demonstrates prowess in handling international and domestic mandates, frequently assisting with the high-profile transactions in the jurisdiction. One impressed referee remarked: “CMS provided excellent service in an international case involving multiple jurisdictions.” Clients also applaud the lawyers for being “fast, efficient and balanced,” before going on to note: “They are the best in Hungary.”

Ireland Firm of the Year   
A&L Goodbody 
Arthur Cox 
Mason Hayes & Curran 
Matheson 
McCann FitzGerald 
William Fry    

Winner: Matheson 

Matheson is one of the stand-out law firms in Ireland and has an unsurpassed number of ranked departments in the Chambers Europe 2024 guide. Furthermore, the prowess of the law firm’s practices in Asset Finance, Dispute Resolution and Employment is reflected in its ascension to Band 1 in these areas. Matheson is also revered for its expertise in Banking & Finance, Capital Markets: Debt, Corporate/M&A, Insurance, Investment Funds, Restructuring/Insolvency, Tax and TMT: Media. One client enthuses that “Matheson approaches things differently: if I need guidance on something, the team gives me succinct advice as opposed to a long legal opinion going one way then the other and landing in the middle. Matheson has top lawyers who are strategic and really know our business, which is one of the most important things. They really understand us and what we need, and we enjoy working with them. They’re a really smart bunch of lawyers and I would be hard pressed to find a team as good elsewhere.” 

Italy Firm of the Year   
BonelliErede 
Chiomenti 
Gatti Pavesi 
Gianni & Origoni 
LCA Studio Legale 
Legance 
PedersoliGattai 

Winner: Legance 

Legance is a highly distinguished Italian law firm that has enjoyed a remarkably strong year. In Chambers Europe 2024, Legance achieved Band 1 in both Corporate/M&A: High-end Capability and Public Law, alongside its existing top band rankings in Energy & Natural Resources, Project Finance and Private Equity. The firm has also strengthened its ranking in Dispute Resolution and Tax. The team is widely acclaimed for a variety of other practice areas, with an impressive offering that ranges from banking and capital markets to employment and real estate. Highly impressed clients have noted that "Legance always anticipates the next move and the team is very highly prepared, motivated and responsive." One source elaborates: "We are very satisfied with the services provided by Legance for all aspects. The quality of the service is really high." 

Luxembourg Firm of the Year   
Allen & Overy  
Arendt & Medernach  
Clifford Chance  
Elvinger Hoss Prussen  
Loyens & Loeff 

Winner: Arendt & Medernach 

Arendt & Medernach continues to boast a leading position in Luxembourg with its teams being ranked in all eight practice areas, seven of which are Band 1 rankings, which is noted by one client who states: “Arendt & Medernach has an undisputed reputation, recognised locally and internationally as one of the best.” The practice areas of Dispute Resolution, Investment Funds and Corporate/M&A saw the introduction of new rankings for the firm’s skilled practitioners. One client enthuses that “the advantage of Arendt & Medernach is that we can find in one and the same firm, through its different departments, all the skills we need with top-level professionals who have deep experience in these areas and can handle complex and sophisticated work in their respective fields.” Another interviewee adds: “Arendt & Medernach has an outstanding grip on the market and has deep knowledge and know-how. The law firm is my undisputable first point of contact for any legal advice I may need and, for me, the most recognised and strongest in the market.”  

Netherlands Firm of the Year   
AKD 
Allen & Overy 
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek 
Houthoff 
Stibbe 
Van Doorne

Winner: Stibbe 

Stibbe distinguishes itself as a stand-out law firm in the Netherlands, with 15 firm rankings across the many different practice areas covered by the guide and the majority of the teams being recognised in the top two bands. The Capital Markets: Equity team notably rises to the top of the rankings, further highlighting the law firm’s depth and strength. Its practitioners also ascend in the rankings for Restructuring/Insolvency: Administration, Tax and Corporate Investigations, alongside new entrants in Real Estate and Competition/European Law. The excellence of Stibbe’s practitioners is echoed by one client who states that “everyone on the team has been superlative, one rockstar after another.” One interviewee reports that “Stibbe has strong legal professionals in all relevant topics. They are trusted advisers on complex and sensitive matters and are recognised for their strong reliability and clear and concise advice.” Another client adds that “the team is analytical, quickly gets to the heart of the matter, understands the sensitivities of the cases presented very well and is pragmatic.”  

Norway Firm of the Year  
Advokatfirmaet Schjødt 
Advokatfirmaet Thommessen 
BAHR 
Wiersholm 
Wikborg Rein

Winner: Wiersholm 

Wiersholm enjoys an impressive number of ranked departments, most of which are recognised as top-tier practices. New additions to Band 1 in the Chambers Europe 2024 guide are the law firm’s Real Estate and Shipping groups. Wiersholm also boasts an unrivalled number of ranked lawyers, including a star practitioner in Employment and an unsurpassed number of top-ranked individuals. Its lawyers have progressed in the rankings for Banking & Finance, Competition/Antitrust and Public Procurement, Energy: Renewables, Capital Markets: Equity and Shipping: Dispute Resolution. Clients appreciate the fact that “the team varies from younger, excellent, up-and-coming talents to well-experienced lawyers and partners who are considered the best in their area,” while another interviewee enthuses: “Wiersholm goes toe-to-toe with top global law firms.” 

Offshore Firm of the Year   
Appleby 
Carey Olsen 
Keystone Law 
Maples Group 
Mourant 
Ogier 
Walkers    

Winner: Walkers 

Walkers continues to make waves both on the Channel Islands and in relation to its London based lawyers. The firm saw its lawyers gain a number of new rankings in the 2024 UK guide and saw many of its team rankings improve as well. It’s excellence over a number of year means that Walkers has become a firm of choice for City-based lawyers seeking advice on the Jersey and Guernsey aspects of transactions. 

Poland Firm of the Year   
Dentons 
Rymarz Zdort Maruta 
WKB lawyers 
Wolf Theiss

Winner: Rymarz Zdort Maruta 

In January 2023, Rymarz Zdort and Maruta Wachta merged to operate under one law firm, Rymarz Zdort Maruta. The law firm has a prominent position in the Polish market and is consistently providing quality service to an impressive roster of international and domestic clients. The firm receives top rankings in all of its core areas, including Corporate M&A, Capital Markets and Private Equity, as well as TMT. The lawyers regularly advise on the key transactions in the market, with clients praising the firm’s “practical, to-the-point and business-oriented advice.” 

Portugal Firm of the Year   
CS’Associados 
Cuatrecasas 
Linklaters 
Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados 
PLMJ  
Sérvulo & Associados 
SRS Legal 
Uría Menendez - Proença de Carvalho 
VdA 

Winner: VdA 

VdA is an impressive Portuguese law firm. Achieving high rankings across a wide array of practice areas, the law firm is well suited to advise clients on complex mandates across different streams of work such as corporate and M&A, dispute resolution, banking and finance matters and real estate deals. Its team is particularly noteworthy, comprised of lawyers who impress market sources and clients. Its clients benefit from VdA's international capabilities, with teams that are well placed to assist with international matters, especially across Lusophone Africa. Clients praise the team, mentioning: “VdA is a reliable partner and is particularly impressive providing top notch legal services.” Another source highlights: “VdA is business-oriented and has a very good approach and relationship with the costumer, bringing solutions to our issues and always with the best interests of the costumer at heart.”  

Romania Firm of the Year   
CMS 
Filip Company 
Nestor Nestor 
Radu Tărăcilă Pădurari Retevoescu,RTPR 
Schoenherr  

Winner: Radu Tărăcilă Pădurari Retevoescu, RTPR 

Radu Tărăcilă Pădurari Retevoescu truly stood out in the 2024 research, for its high levels of positive market support. This, coupled with the firm’s expertise, resulted in a B1 promotion for the Banking & Finance department in the Europe 2024 guide. The group saw further expansion by notably entering the guide’s real estate rankings. According to one client, ‘You can rely on RTPR to come up with viable and durable solutions’, whilst a second one highlights the firm’s ‘creativity, determination and resourcefulness’.   

Spain Firm of the Year   
Clifford Chance 
Cuatrecasas
Gómez-Acebo & Pombo
Garrigues 
Latham & Watkins 
Pérez-Llorca 
Uría Menéndez
White & Case 

Winner: Pérez-Llorca 

“‘Pérez-Llorca has embarked on a success story of growth”, shares a market commentator. The firm has in fact continued to impress due to its growing team and reputation in the Spanish market. The group's prowess notably extends to Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution, Public Law and Real Estate, amongst other practice areas. With offices in Madrid and Barcelona, as well as across Europe and overseas, Pérez-Llorca “offers a comprehensive set of legal expertise”. It holds, furthermore, a notable record supporting a wide variety of first-class clients across a range of industries.   

Sweden Firm of the Year  
Advokatfirman Vinge 
Mannheimer Swartling 
Roschier 
Setterwalls    

Winner: Mannheimer Swartling 

“Mannheimer Swartling is one of the leading law firms in Sweden,” enthuse clients. It is unsurpassed in its number of department and lawyer rankings and has more practices in the top tier than any other law firm in the jurisdiction, with its Energy & Natural Resources team enjoying a promotion to Band 1 in the Chambers Europe 2024 guide. Its practitioners also rose in the rankings for Banking & Finance, Capital Markets: Equity, Corporate/M&A, Dispute Resolution and Insurance. One source explains that “it is the biggest law firm in Sweden and also the best law firm with the highest quality,” while another interviewee states: “It is simply the best – excellent and collaborative.” 

Switzerland Firm of the Year   
Bär & Karrer 
Lenz & Staehelin 
Homburger 
Walder Wyss 
Niederer Kraft Frey  
Schellenberg Wittmer 

Winner: Walder Wyss 

Walder Wyss is a highly esteemed law firm in the Swiss market that maintains high level rankings across most practice areas in Switzerland, with many skilled practitioners benefiting from improved or new rankings in the areas of White-Collar Crime, Competition/Antitrust and Energy. Drawing upon the strength of its six offices across Switzerland, Walder Wyss is well equipped to advise both domestic and international clients on their projects in the country. Clients report that “Walder Wyss is a highly competent law firm that advises perfectly on complex matters and has given us the best strategic advice.” Another impressed interviewee remarks: “Walder Wyss provides outstanding service and knowledge. It is the best service I have ever received from a law firm.” 

Turkey Firm of the Year   
Balcıoğlu Selçuk Ardıyok Keki Attorney Partnership (BASEAK) 
Esin Attorney Partnership, a member firm of Baker McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein 
Kolcuoğlu Demirkan Koçaklı Attorneys at Law  
Paksoy 
GKC Partners 
Hergüner Bilgen Üçer Attorney Partnership 

Winner: Esin Attorney Partnership, a Member Firm of Baker McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein 

Esin Attorney Partnership, a member Firm of Baker McKenzie stands out for its extensive proficiency in different areas of practice. The firm has a superb offering when it comes to corporate and contentious matters and is also a go-to firm for clients dealing with banking and finance issues. The team boasts exceptional cross border capabilities due to its close collaboration with international law firm Baker McKenzie. Clients highly praise the firm, as this source indicated: “I use the firm for a number of matters and the level of service is excellent. Esin does a great job of understanding how the law is applied to the real world. The team is excellent, and it is one of the top law firms I have used.”  

UK Firm of the Year   
Allen & Overy 
Baker McKenzie 
Eversheds Sutherland
HFW 
Kingsley Napley 
Linklaters

Winner: Allen & Overy 

A&O has rarely been out of the headlines this year due to its imminent tie up with US outfit Shearman & Sterling. That transatlantic merger shouldn’t distract from the excellent work that the magic circle firm has continued to do over the past 12 months. In what was an exceptionally quiet year for the London Stock Exchange, A&O led on the CAB Payments IPO which would turn out to be the largest listing of 2023. The Corporate team was similarly able to buck the trend of quiet markets and completed a number of impressive transactions last year; most notably including AviLease’s acquisition of Standard Chartered’s global aviation finance leasing business. The firm maintains an impressive 21 top tier rankings in the UK guide and continues to excel in areas such as Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Corporate/M&A and Energy and Natural Resources. 

Outstanding Contributors  
Mélanie Thill-Tayara (Dechert) 

Mélanie Thill-Thayara is an antitrust and competition lawyer who has been consistently hailed as one of the foremost practitioners in her field at the French and European level. She has been acting over the years on landmark abuse of dominant position and merger control cases and secured impressive wins on behalf of leading international clients. On top of her competition practice, Mélanie Thill-Tayara also garners widespread recognition for her deep knowledge of the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. Clients have been highlighting her longstanding expertise and in-depth industry knowledge, with one interviewee saying: "She is excellent and is one of the best competition lawyers in France. She is clearly an expert but also has an innovative mind and gives great advice. She has a very deep understanding of the pharma sector in France and delivers timely and quality work." 

Bruno Gattai (PedersoliGattai) 

Bruno Gattai is a highly distinguished lawyer who is widely recognised as a market leader throughout Italy for both M&A and private equity. He is particularly accomplished in advising on multimillion-euro M&A transactions on behalf of TMT companies and other prominent multinationals. He is a popular choice among both international and domestic private equity firms and investment groups. Sources variously describe him as “one of the safest pair of hands in the Italian M&A market” and “the best M&A lawyer in town.”  This year, Bruno has also overseen the formation of PedersoliGattai, one of the largest law firm merges in Italian history, becoming managing partner of the firm. 

Europe Law Firm: White & Case  

White & Case is commended by clients for its "team of locally highly respected lawyers in all jurisdictions we are doing business in, which is incredibly valuable." The team is also praised for its “unrivalled international footprint,” with the same referee going on to note: “It’s a global team with excellent experience and cross-border practices." White & Case has achieved eight rankings across the first top bands in the Europe-wide tables this year, including in International Arbitration and Capital Markets. Across Europe 2024, the law firm has 24 Band 1 rankings and has also gained new rankings in key jurisdictions such as France and Spain.  

Private Practice  
Individual Awards 
DEI: Outstanding Contribution 
Adam Mycyk – Dentons (Ukraine) 
Agnieszka Wiercińska-Krużewska – WKB Lawyers (Poland) 
Cezary Żelaźnicki – PwC Legal Żelaźnicki sp.k. (Poland) 
Mariebelle Timmermans – NautaDutilh (Netherlands) 
Patricia Madrona García – Abdón Pedrajas/Littler S.L.P (Spain) 
Sam MacMahon Baldwin – Szecskay Attorneys at Law (Hungary) 
Alexandra Courela – Abreu Advogados (Portugal) 
Soeradj Ramsanjhal – Stibbe (Netherlands) 

Winners: Cezary Żelaźnicki – PwC Legal Żelaźnicki sp.k. (Poland) 

Firm Awards 
DEI: Outstanding Firm 
Arthur Cox (Ireland) 
Boden Law (Turkey) 
COBALT (Baltics) 
Deloitte Legal (Global) 
Hausfeld & Co LLP (Global) 
Karatzas & Partners (Greece) 
KNOETZL (Austria) 
LCA Studio Legale (Italy) 

Winner: Hausfeld & Co LLP (United Kingdom)

Pro Bono: Outstanding Firm 
A&L Goodbody (Ireland) 
Arthur Cox (Ireland) 
De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek (Netherlands) 
Dentons (Europe)  
Law Firm Senica & Partners, Ltd. (Slovenia)  
SRS Legal (Portugal)  
VdA - Vieira de Almeida (Portugal) 
WKB Lawyers (Poland) 

Highly Commended: A&L Goodbody (Ireland)
Winner: De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek (Netherlands) 

In-House 
DEI: In-House Team of the Year 
ABN AMRO Bank (Netherlands) 
Iberdrola (Spain) 
IKEA (Portugal) 
ING Bank N.V. (Netherlands) 
LOTTE Wedel (Poland) 
Meta (Ireland) 
OTIS Elevator Company (Bulgaria) 
UBS SE (Italy) 

Winner: OTIS Elevator Company (Bulgaria)