The Editor’s Award 2009...

As I nurse a heavy head from last night's British Legal Awards, I'd like to extend my thanks to our independent judging panel and congratulations to the winners.

This year I have also decided to confer upon myself the right to create the Editor's Award for the firm that has put in a cracking all-round performance.

It comes against strong competition. The magic circle generally acquitted themselves well this year, dismissing claims that they would be savaged by the recession. Lovells, likewise, put in a confident showing in practice terms and displayed genuine daring in their merger bid with Hogan & Hartson.

But the firm I'd personally like to give some recognition to in 2009 is Norton Rose. Obviously, that wasn't a one-year thing (it never is). The fruits of the firm's turnaround have been laid painstakingly since 2003 as the firm has turned around its once-struggling international network. Financial performance has also been much improved as the firm has cultivated a spirit of co-operation within its partnership.

But there were also highlights in 2009. The firm's much-touted flexi-time scheme, introduced as a means of protecting jobs, has received much attention and it's about to receive some more now. It was an imaginative and genuine response to tough market conditions that maintained the firm's social contract with staff. It has worked, and given other law firms a lead in how to react to the market.

Likewise, the firm's tie-up with Deacons deserves recognition as a good bit of pragmatic business and strategic opportunism. Is it guaranteed to deliver for the firm in Asia? No, but the risk/return equation looks promising and the firm didn't hang around debating what conventional wisdom said it should do.

In addition, the firm has consistently come up strongly in research from Legal Week Intelligence for staff engagement and client feedback. The quality of work the firm has handled in recent years has also been steadily improving. Chief executive Peter Martyr (pictured) deserves plenty of credit for the firm's development, having grown into the role as the best law firm leaders often do.

Unfortunately, the Editor's Award doesn't come with a trophy since I've just thought it up, but I may stretch to coughing up for a few drinks. Just a final word to the winner: please don't mess it up in 2010 and make me look like an idiot.

Click here for further coverage of the British Legal Awards

Norton Rose on the Legal Week Wiki