This award sought to recognise a law firm that could show how it had actively developed its strategy in response to the international needs of its client base and to seize the opportunities for growth that exist within the global legal services industry. The winning entry demonstrated the strategic nature of the firm’s international activity, which has turned into results impacting the firm’s turnover and the coherent integration of this international activity into wider business development plans.
The judges were impressed by Collyer Bristow’s focused and committed approach to the development of their international practice. The judges noted that the firm's strategy was supported by its broader business activities and by the fact that the 'international ethos' ran throughout the firm. Collyer Bristow has successfully demonstrated how a 'traditional mid-size firm' can adapt their business model to respond to, and effectively compete for, opportunities in the international marketplace.
The judges were particularly impressed with the progress made by Bond Pearce in three years of focused international activity. They thought the firm exhibited excellent strategic thinking and that their impressive client-oriented approach would prove to be the cornerstone of future international expansion. Bond Pearce are to be commended for developing areas of their practice to actively target overseas markets via their sectoral expertise and in-depth industry 'know-how'.
Due to the increasing importance of Africa in the geopolitical landscape and the myriad opportunities emerging across Africa, Clifford Chance has formed a dedicated Africa Group. The Group creates a unique remote infrastructure to meet the needs of clients in market-leading transactions across the continent.
Many large firms provide excellence in international services. James Love Legal aspires to do so, on a smaller personal scale, providing extra choice to businesses with international needs. The firm hopes to demonstrate to other small practices that international work is not beyond their resources, inspiring them to have a similar global outlook.
The firm enables individuals and companies to exercise their rights in EU member states, or any country other than their own. It tackles the problems that sometimes make the judicial, legal and administrative systems of other countries complex and incompatible with each other and creates international forums for young lawyers.
Marriott Harrison has updated and co-ordinated its international offering, and has bought into the importance of international work. By focusing on a few key jurisdictions and strengthening its team, referrals from peers and client requests for specialist partner-led services at affordable prices have increased. Profitability has increased accordingly.