Olswang hits the target with its second top firm honour

AWARDS: Nigel Boardman named best business lawyer

London law firm Olswang received its second accolade in a month last week when it was named law firm of the year.

The award, from the new edition of Chambers' Guide to the Legal Profession, follows on the heels of sister publication Commercial Lawyer naming Olswang as the UK's most successful law firm due to its profitability.

Chambers found that Olswang was the firm which most 'punched above its weight'.For the third year running, Nigel Boardman of Slaughter and May was recognised as the best business lawyer.

In a new category, Jonathan Sumption QC was named ascommercial barrister of the year.

Owner Michael Chambers said: 'More than any other law firm, [Olswang] have seen their opportunities and grabbed them.'

The firm, which specialises in media, communications and technology work, achieved a 48% rise in turnover in the last year to 35 million, while the top equity partners' income is nearly 1 million.

Jonathan Goldstein, Olswang's managing partner, said the award was 'a testament to the people in the firm' and was the result of a'prolonged effort over a number of years'.

The future was a case of'continuing what we're doing' in focusing on the media and ITsectors, he added.

Mr Boardman stood out as 'an imaginative commercial adviser and true all-rounder', said the guide.

Among his recent work was advising Orange on its sale to Mannesmann.

Also shortlisted for the award were Anthony Salz and Will Lawes of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Matthew Middleditch of Linklaters.

Neil Rose