In this special report, The National Law Journal recognized the Boston metropolitan region's top in-house law departments and their general counsel in six categories: overall excellence, outside counsel management, use of technology, commitment to pro bono work and community service and diversity.

Our overall leader is technology company EMC Corp., which makes a point of self-reliance. It appears to be paying off — the company has won a series of patent cases, cut significant deals and emerged as a thought leader in its region. It's all another day at the office for general counsel Paul Dacier, who says: "We're here to get the deal done."

BOSTON LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR
BOSTON LEGAL DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR: FINALISTS
OUTSIDE COUNSEL MANAGEMENT
COMMUNITY/PRO BONO
TECHNOLOGY
DIVERSITY