Winner: David Pester, TLT

Managing lawyers is often likened to herding cats. The best law firm leaders must shape strategy and improve performance without losing the hearts and minds of the partners. The shortlist for this category throws the spotlight on six law firm leaders who have been getting it right. Joy Kingsley is one of the profession's longest-standing managing partners, having led Pannone for 14 years. During this period it has developed from being a high street firm with a turnover of £16m into a major regional player that is hoping to break through the £50m barrier this year.

At the other end of spectrum – in terms of time in post – is Moira Gilmour, who became managing partner of Field Fisher Waterhouse on 1 April, 2006. In her first 17 months, she oversaw the firm's conversion to a limited liability partnership, unveiled a new European strategy, including the launch of offices in Germany and Belgium, and launched a 'key client' initiative to improve the firm's relationship with its most important clients.

National firms are well represented on the shortlist. Peter Crossley has steered Hammonds out of the most financially challenging period in its history, while David Gray attracted strong support among the judges for successfully reshaping the partners' remuneration structure. Gray regards the new system's flexibility as a crucial weapon in its drive to build up its London office, which forms a key plank of its new three-year strategy.

The winner of this category, however, is TLT managing partner David Pester. Pester's leadership has become closely associated with the success of his firm. Since becoming managing partner in 2002, he has steered TLT through two mergers, helping it to increase turnover by nearly 300% to £38m. TLT has avoided the fallout that can often accompany mergers while, crucially, keeping the clients on board – it counts 16 FTSE companies among its client base, which is growing strongly outside the firm's southwest heartlands.

2007BritishLegalAwards