IN-HOUSE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS
There are two awards dedicated to in-house legal departments:
- Prominent transaction
- Most innovative legal department
Prominent transaction:
In-house Legal Counsels send back a documented Explanatory Memo (max 5 pages A4 plus possible attachments) based on the specific case undertaken, dealt with or closed in 2007 before January 30th 2008
In-house Legal Counsels can, simultaneously, propose transactions of other companies as possible nominees. These will be invited by the organizers to send an explanatory Memo in order to be considered in the final nominee list.
Nominees make sure not to breach any confidentiality commitment and not to violate their obligation of professional secrecy.
Only nominees who submit an Explanatory Memo in due time will be part of the final nominee list.
The Jury will assess more particularly:
- Overall quality of the Explanatory Memo and level of complexity of the case
- Interest for the economy and the business community
- Interest for the legal science
- Innovative aspects
- Degree of constraints to complete the case (time, media, special requirements, authorities,…)
Most innovative legal department:
In-house Legal Counsels send back a documented Explanatory Memo (max 5 pages A4 plus possible attachments) based on the innovative achievements of the department in 2007 before January 30th 2008.
In-house Legal Counsels can, simultaneously, propose legal departments of other companies as possible nominees. These will be invited by the organizers to send an explanatory Memo in order to be considered in the final nominee list.
Nominees will make sure not to breach any confidentiality commitment and not to violate their obligation of professional secrecy.
Only nominees who submit an Explanatory Memo in due time will be part of the final nominee list.
The Jury will assess areas of innovation more particularly:
- Demonstration of a commendable degree of quality in organisation
- Demonstration of a particular degree of innovation in managing a legal department
- Demonstration of best practices in teamwork with the other internal departments of the company and with external advisors.
- Specific innovative recruitment techniques and strengthening of the legal department
Download Participation Form
PRIVATE PRATICE LAW FIRMS
Nominees are selected according to an objective written survey carried out in cooperation with the Official Partners of the Legal Awards and representatives from the business community. (Survey Form)
The Official Partners of the Legal Awards are large and well reputed organisations and federations, their contribution ensures a representative and relevant selection for the Legal Awards. (Official Partners)
Following the results of the survey, nominees will be invited to submit an Explanatory Memo of max 5 pages A4 plus possible attachments.
Contemplated nominees will make sure not to breach any confidentiality commitment and not to violate their obligation of professional secrecy by either making sure no parties can be identified or by collecting beforehand the necessary authorisations to disclose any given information or by disclosing information that is already publicly available.
Only those contemplated nominees who do send a Explanatory Memo before 30th January 2008 will be part of the final Nominee List.
The Jury will select the Award Winner in each category based on the Explanatory Memo received in due time.
Definition of the categories of awards remitted to Law Firms
There are two main chapters of awards for Law Firms:
(1) Practice Areas
(2) Overall
(1) PRACTICE AREAS
Corporate : The law firm of the year active in the Corporate law sector.
Banking & Finance : The law firm of the year active in the Bank and/or Finance law sector.
Competition & Anti-Trust : The law firm of the year active in competition and Anti-Trust.
Tax : The law firm of the year active in the Tax law sector.
Employment : The law firm of the year active in the Employment law sector.
Real Estate & Construction : The law firm of the year active in the Real Estate and/or the Construction law sector.
Regulatory : The law firm of the year active in the Administrative and Environment law sector.
IP & IT : The law firm of the year active in Intellectual Property and Information technology Law.
Litigation & Arbitration : The law firm of the year active in Litigation and Arbitration.
International Trade :
The law firm of the year active in the international trade sector.
(2) OVERALL
Belgian Firm of the Year : The law firm having an office on the Belgian territory, including offices, branches or firms members of a national or international network.
Regional Firm Flanders of the Year : The law firm of the year having its head office or main seat in Flemish Region, with the exclusion of Brussels. The jury will recognize outstanding performance within the specific regional market.
Regional Firm Wallonia of the Year : The best law firm/department/team of the year having its head office or main seat in the Walloon Region. The jury will recognize outstanding performance within the specific regional market.
US Law Firm in Brussels of the Year : Best law firm of the year having the bulk of their lawyers based in the United States. The winner will have shown significant progress in building a presence in Brussels. The jury will look both at the ability to develop a European hub and a presence on the local market. Judges will look at key transactions during the year, success in recruitment both in terms of recent additions and integration of foreign lawyers in the US firm.
Managing Partner of the Year : The managing partner of a law firm/office/branch in Belgium who has showed best leadership, brought major new ideas and initiatives, achieved solid positioning for his/her firm/department, strong ability to communicate. Although we will take a long view, their performance over the course of the last 12 months will strengthen their nomination.
Best firm to work for of the Year : The winner will be the law firm to work for. The law firm having an office on the Belgian territory, including offices, branches or firms members of a national or international network which has conducted the best partnership/employment policy. Download complete Nomination & Selection Rules
Download complete Nomination & Selection Rules
