Finalists: Akin Gump; Allen & Overy (highly commended); Bracewell; Eversheds Sutherland; Morgan, Lewis & Bockius; Paul Hastings.

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy secured the finance team of the year award for its various roles in buyout firm Baring Private Equity Asia’s $4.3bn acquisition of Hong Kong-based international school operator Nord Anglia Education.