The American Lawyer reflected on a year full of change, growth and innovation Wednesday night at the first American Lawyer Industry Awards in New York.

Kirkland & Ellis took home the award for Best Law Firm of the Year, surpassing a group of competitors comprised of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton; Cooley; Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Davis Polk & Wardwell; Hogan Lovells; and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.