Linklaters, Underhill and Rabinowitz scoop top awards at directory launch

Chambers & Partners: problems in Europe cannot hold back Linklaters at home.Linklaters was last week named the law firm of the year at the launch of the 2001-2002 Chambers & Partners directory.Editor Rieta Ghosh told several hundred lawyers attending the launch that 'whatever problems it has on the continent, Linklaters is still top here'.The firm won from a shortlist that consisted of Allen & Overy, Eversheds, Osborne Clarke and Scottish firms Dickson Minto and McGrigor Donald.Ms Ghosh cited as the reason for Linklaters' win its 'dramatic improvement in non-core areas', continued leadership in its core areas, and ability to combine top-notch corporate finance and banking practices.The last three winners of the award were Olswang, Norton Rose and Herbert Smith.Linklaters managing partner Tony Angel said: 'This has been an exciting year for Linklaters with a number of key developments taking place throughout the firm.

It is good to know that the efforts everyone has put in throughout the firm for our clients have been recognised.'Described as 'one of the most hands-on partners you could hope to see', William Underhill ended the three-year reign of fellow Slaughter and May partner Nigel Boardman to scoop the business lawyer of the year award.Mr Boardman was again shortlisted, along with Chris Ashworth of Ashurst Morris Crisp and Will Lawes of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.Chambers says the best business lawyer survey is conducted solely on the opinion of clients.

Corporate finance specialists lead the way as usual, although the London domination was broken by the arrival in the list of Manchester-based Addleshaw Booth & Co lawyer Paul Devitt.

Clifford Chance was described as a 'notable' absentee from the best business lawyer table.The others in the list were James Davis of Freshfields, Linklaters' Richard Godden, Helen Harrison-Hall of Allen & Overy, and Slaughters' Robert Stern and Jeff Triggs.Laurence Rabinowitz of One Essex Court - whom Ms Ghosh called 'a QC in all but name' and praised for his 'implacable will' - won the commercial barrister of the year award from Christopher Butcher QC of 7 King's Bench Walk and Charles Flint QC of Blackstone Chambers.The awards were sponsored by Lehmann Communications.Neil Rose