2007

Employer of the Year

I am delighted to confirm that SJ Berwin were named as Employer of the Year at the Executive PA Awards 2007 in October. The judging panel commented on SJ Berwin's commitment to secretarial and administrative staff development through career progression opportunities, HR policies and training.

2005

The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers: Private Funds

In July, SJ Berwin was named the world's leading law firm for private funds expertise by respected independent publication The International Who's Who of Private Funds Lawyers, published by Who's Who Legal. SJ Berwin received more nominations from clients and peers than any other firm in the world, and has the most lawyers (eight) nominated in the publication. Jonathan Blake, Head of Private Equity, was the most highly nominated lawyer in the research. The research also reflected SJ Berwin's "formidable fund practice" (Callum Campbell, Editor) across Europe, with more partners from our German offices being included than any other law firm, and French office head George Pinkham receiving more nominations than any other lawyer in France

SJ Berwin has been named "Law Firm of the Year" 2005 at the EVCA/Real Deals Private Equity Awards for the second consecutive year, in recognition of our private equity work over the last twelve months. The award recognised our contribution to European private equity, and our work on buy-outs, venture capital and fund formation.

SJ Berwin has been named "UK Firm of the Year". It is all the more significant given that this award, in contrast to most others, was based entirely on independently sourced opinions from the market, general counsel, clients and competing firms. The award states: "But the crown goes to SJ Berwin... the client feedback is superb, not only in the awards research, but also Legal Week's client satisfaction survey, which polled more than 200 FTSE companies... securing financial integration with its German arm... crowns five years of international expansion that SJ Berwin has pulled off far more successfully than many larger rivals."

SJ Berwin is delighted to announce that - for the third year in succession - it was named "Law Firm of the Year" at the European Venture Capital Journal Private Equity Awards. Commenting on the award, EVCJ said: "SJ Berwin wins this category for being private equity's most consistently trusted law firm...Obviously the proof is in the pudding: mandates must be executed well, but in addition this firm has gone out of its way to keep the private equity community abreast of developments in the market that will affect the way firms do deals and the way firms structure their internal operations, which have helped to perpetuate its image as being both trusted and an authority".

SJ Berwin has been named 'European Best Law Firm (fund formation)' at the PrivateEquityOnline Awards for the fifth year running for work undertaken in 2005. We are particularly pleased to win this award because it results from an online poll with over 5,000 votes cast. There is no shortlist, no panel of judges, no sponsored categories - it's open voting by the readers of PrivateEquityOnline and Private Equity International.

PrivateEquityOnline Awards

SJ Berwin has been named 'European Best Law Firm (fund formation)' at the PrivateEquityOnline Awards for the fourth year running for work undertaken in 2004. We are particularly pleased to win this award because it results from an online poll with over 5,000 votes cast. There is no shortlist, no panel of judges, no sponsored categories - it's open voting by the readers of PrivateEquityOnline and Private Equity International.

Legal Business Awards

In February 2005, SJ Berwin won the Legal Business Award for 'Real Estate Team of the Year 2005'. The award recognises work on two high profile, back-to-back and complex transactions: advising Prestbury on the joint venture £400 million acquisition of 135 of Travelodge's 240 plus hotels and advising Brixton plc on the £600 million acquisition of Industrious Holdings Limited.

EVCJ Private Equity Law Firm of the Year Award

SJ Berwin won the EVCJ Award for "Private Equity Law Firm of the Year 2004".

2004

EVCA/Real Deals European Private Equity Awards

SJ Berwin was named "Law Firm of the Year" 2004 at the EVCA/Real Deals Private Equity Awards, a reflection of the continued strength of our pan-European private equity team. The awards were announced and presented at a gala dinner in Paris on 24 November 2004.

The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers: Private Funds

In July, SJ Berwin was named the world's leading law firm for private funds expertise by respected independent publication The International Who's Who of Private Funds Lawyers, published by Who's Who Legal. SJ Berwin received more nominations from clients and peers than any other firm in the world, and has the most lawyers (eight) nominated in the publication. Jonathan Blake, Head of Private Equity, was the most highly nominated lawyer in the research.

The research also reflected SJ Berwin's "formidable fund practice" (Callum Campbell, Editor) across Europe, with more partners from our German offices being included than any other law firm, and French office head George Pinkham receiving more nominations than any other lawyer in France.

The Lawyer Awards

SJ Berwin was named "Real Estate Team of the Year" at The Lawyer Awards on Tuesday 22nd June. The award related to our work advising RBS on their £1.1 billion purchase of Citigroup Tower and 5 Canada Square from Canary Wharf Group. Stephen Willson and Pat Jones led the deal, along with Michael Goldberg, Heather Corben and Geoff Woolf. It is the second time that the firm has won this award in the last five years.

The Private Equity Awards

SJ Berwin was named "Legal Adviser of the Year" 2004 at the BVCA/Real Deals Private Equity Awards. Rob Day was awarded this title for leading the team advising Pantheon on its sale to Tacoma-based Russell Investment Group. Head of Private Equity Jonathan Blake was also admitted to the Hall of Fame at the awards. Jonathan received this honour alongside Sir David Cooksey, and together they are the fourth and fifth members of the Hall of Fame.

The European Private Equity Awards

SJ Berwin, for the third year running was named "Best Law Firm (documentation)" by subscribers to PrivateEquityOnline and Private Equity International.

Legal Business Awards

SJ Berwin was named at the Legal Business Awards 2004 as a "Star Performer" for its work on Permira Europe III.

The European Legal M&A Awards

SJ Berwin was shortlisted at The European Legal M&A Awards 2004 for "UK Private Equity Law Firm of the Year."

2003

The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers

SJ Berwin was ranked as the "World's Leading Firm for Private Funds Expertise" 2003/2004.

Chambers Global Awards

SJ Berwin won the Chambers Global Award for 'Law Firm of the Year, Western Europe: Private Equity'.

Acquisitions Monthly Awards

SJ Berwin won the Acquisitions Monthly award for 'Mid-Market Law Firm of the Year' 2003 on the strength of its European M&A, private equity and corporate finance activity during 2002.

EVCJ Awards

For the third year running, SJ Berwin won 'Private Equity Law Firm of the Year' at the European Venture Capital Journal Awards. The award was in the category of firm and fund work for work undertaken in 2002.

PrivateEquityOnline Awards

SJ Berwin won 'Best Law Firm (fund documentation)' at the PrivateEquityOnline Awards for the third year running for work undertaken in 2002.

Legal Business Awards

SJ Berwin's Madrid office was shortlisted for the Legal Business Awards 2003 'European Law Firm/Office of the Year'.