Eversheds has been named as the law firm with the strongest brand in this year's Superbrands survey.

The UK top 10 firm is the highest ranked firm in the legal category, improving its position on 2009 when it was placed third behind the top-ranked Linklaters and Clifford Chance (CC).

Eversheds came in at number 214 in the overall rankings of the 500 best business brands, up from 241 last year. Other law firms included in the rankings include CC (225), Linklaters (238), Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (282), Slaughter and May (286), Allen & Overy (323), Lovells (435) and Simmons & Simmons (477).

The Law Society outstripped all of the law firms included in the rankings to place 75th, while also topping the rankings in the associations and accreditations subcategory.

Microsoft was the overall leader in this year's survey, which is compiled annually by The Centre for Brand Analysis on behalf of the Superbrands organisation.

The software giant was ranked ahead of the Rolls-Royce Group, BlackBerry, Virgin Atlantic and Google, which dropped four places from its top ranking last year.

The rankings are based on the views of a panel of experts and the opinions of more than 1,700 business professionals.

Eversheds chief executive Bryan Hughes (pictured) said: "We provide high quality legal expertise and use innovative methods to deliver client service excellence around the world. A business Superbrand has to establish the finest reputation in its field and our position as number one in the legal industry category is a testament to all our people who are committed to delivering quality, distinction and reliability."

Eversheds on the Legal Week Wiki