Private equity law firm of the year: Buyout transaction work

In considering the criteria for winner of the buyout transaction work award, the panel looked at the number of management buyouts that were advised on during 2001. The number of partners and associates working as the firm’s dedicated private equity resource was considered, as was the geographic reach of the private equity practice, in particular dedicated personnel across Europe. Finally, market reputation came into play. Winner of this award is Clifford Chance who has teams dedicated to private equity across continental Europe and London and has acted for many of the top tier leverage buyout houses during 2001. In terms

of personnel, last year the private equity practice grew across Europe by around 15 per cent and has a market share of around 28.2 per cent of the European MBO market, according to Thomson Financial (Securities Data).