All of the big six firms, including Allens Arthur Robinson, Blake Dawson, Clayton Utz, Freehills, Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Minter Ellison, along with Corrs Chambers Westgarth, make up the shortlist of Australian firms vying for top honours.

The awards recognise a law firm’s pre-eminence in key countries in the region, and reflect notable achievements over the past 12 months, including outstanding work, impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service.

Allens, which is also in the running for the law firm of the year in Vietnam and South-East Asia, was named the Chambers Australian law firm of the year in 2011.

In its 2012 law firm rankings, Chambers selected Clayton Utz, Allens, Freehills and Mallesons as the top firms in banking & finance: acquisition finance, with the latter three also being named the top corporate/M&A and energy/resources firms for 2012.

Blakes and Freehills were named as top of the game in employment law, while Allens, Blakes, Henry Davis York and Minters took out the top spots in relation to restructuring and insolvency.   

In further good news for Mallesons, merger partner King & Wood was named the top law firm in numerous categories at the China Chambers Awards 2012, announced in Beijing on 23 February.

The firm was named PRC firm of the year in banking and finance, dispute resolution and employment.