Young Lawyer of the Year Winner: Richard Youle, Linklaters

Plenty of renaissance men and proto-rainmakers knocking around this year. Among the individuals to stand out is Lovells' Magnus Burrough, who typifies the increasingly rare breed of lawyer who attempts to make a genuine contribution to their practice area beyond billing. In Burrough's case, this meant advising a number of high profile industrial clients on upcoming corporate manslaughter laws, an area in which he has led much of the policy debate. Burrough has also been active on the pro bono front, advising a charity established to assist bereaved relatives on a Government consultation. The qualified barrister also finds time to appear regularly as a solicitor advocate.

Addleshaw Goddard's four-year qualified associate Karen Phillips stands out as a precocious talent, lauded for personally helping to ramp up the profile of the firm's property litigation team. Aside from building a reputation for technical ability and polished client skills, the Yorkshire-based Phillips has also been active in the community, with five years' involvement with the Leeds Cares initiative.

One young lawyer already building a reputation in the market is Herbert Smith's Matthew White, the planning specialist who made partner in 2005. White already has major roles on a string of cutting-edge regeneration projects under his belt, including advising London & Continental Railways on Stratford City and advising on the controversial Croydon Gateway project. Rivals and clients have already cited White, indeed the performance of the planning team contributed to Herbert Smith taking the Real Estate Team of the Year award.

The stand-out litigator in this line-up is Barlow Lyde & Gilbert's Bob Beauchamp, who played a major part alongside partner Sarah Clover in successfully defending Hammonds from the £142m negligence claim pursued by former client the Football League.

Beauchamp, along with Brick Court Chambers' Tom Adam, is cited by Hammonds as the "reassuring" day-to-day presence running the case.

Hammonds managing partner Peter Crossley, himself a seasoned litigator and not a man disposed to hollow praise, says: "He's a very talented litigation lawyer. I'd give him the highest marks every time."

Still, with all eyes in the City on Linklaters' departure-prone private equity team, Richard Youle stands out as a talent to watch.

Youle, who joined Linklaters in 2001 from SJ Berwin, garnered early attention for his ability to build client loyalty, securing regular instructions for HgCapital, Montagu, MidOcean and Sun Capital, a feat achieved at a firm with initially virtually no recognition in the buy-out market.

He came to further prominence when research produced for Legal Week this year identified him as the City's most prolific associate, with Youle clocking up 20 ranked deals over a three-year period.

Unsurprisingly, he made partner this year. Youle's progress is all the more impressive for a lawyer who came up outside the typical Oxbridge/ magic circle route.

Commended: Bob Beauchamp, Barlow, Lyde & Gilbert

Shortlisted: Magnus Burrough, Lovells Karen Phillips, Addleshaw Goddard Matthew White, Herbert Smith