Finalists: Baker & McKenzie • Jones Day • King & Spalding • Ropes & Gray • White & Case

Latham & Watkins has underlined its ambition in London with a series of high-profile raids on magic circle and US rivals. It has also invested in the future by doubling its trainee intake over the last five years. Lawyer headcount at the firm’s City office, which is led by Nick Cline, now stands at 250, including 60 partners, of whom 75% are UK-qualified.