King & Wood Mallesons fared particularly well, with both Scott Farrell and Yuen-Yee Cho making it through to the final round.

Mr Farrell is known for breaking new ground, including advising the ASX on the creation of the Australian Clearing House for OTC derivatives.

He holds a number of leadership positions within the firm, including head of the partnership committee and leader of the derivatives practice, and is also on the KWM board.

Ms Cho has worked on high-profile transactions for clients such as Woolworths, including a world-first syndicated banking guarantee facility.

Within the firm, she has been involved in fostering the development of younger lawyers, including Elizabeth Hundt-Russell and Taylor MacDonald, who won senior associate of the year and law graduate of the year respectively at the Women in Law Awards 2015.

Other finalists in this category from global firms include Michelle Levy from Allens and Michelle Segaert from Squire Patton Boggs.

Harry New from Hall & Wilcox and Amber Warren from Gadens are representing global firms, while Claire Wivell Plater comes from boutique firm The Fold Legal.

Winners of the Partner of the Year awards will be announced at a black-tie gala on 28 April at Sofitel Sydney Wentworth – tickets on sale now.