Finalists: Clyde & Co; Galadari; KBH Kaanuun; Morgan Lewis & Bockius (Highly Commended), Trowers & Hamlins.

Baker McKenzie was awarded the Regulatory and Investigations Team of the Year prize for its work advising a banking client through a challenging international regulatory probe.

The firm's client was being investigated for violating trade sanctions, which resulted in the client agreeing to give access to a foreign consultant to review the bank's compliance programmes, policies and procedures.

Led by Baker McKenzie's UAE partners Borys Dackiw and Mazen Boustany, the firm helped its client's legal and compliance team navigate the complex cross-border investigation, such as helping identify whether any information obtained during the probe was privileged (and therefore whether employees had a right for legal representation while being interviewed by investigators).

By quickly assembling a multi-jurisdictional compliance team, the firm was able to offer prompt coordinated advice and guidance to help the client avoid potential future sanctions breaches and any further financial and reputational damage. The firm says the investigation underscores its position as the only global outfit in the UAE that can handle both English and local legal and court system matters.

"An extremely thorough and professional treatment of a complex case dealing with some timely issues," a judge applauded.

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