Finalists: Clifford Chance • Gibson Dunn & Crutcher • Latham & Watkins

DLA Piper's lawyers in the Middle East contribute an average of 21 hours of pro bono time a year, which it confidently claims is "without doubt the largest contribution of any law firm". 

Projects undertaken by DLA staff include: providing research on Syria to outline the legal framework on the investigation and prosecution of atrocity crimes; training Lebanese lawyers from the Beirut Bar Association in a two-day seminar; and providing ongoing pro bono advice to an array of non-profitable organisations in the region. 

The firm also teaches law students from UAE University and the Kuwait International Law School on international law and advocacy skills to compete in global moot competitions in the UK and US. 

"The firm focuses on pro bono, community engagement, diversity and environmental sustainability and its CSR initiatives clearly demonstrate how it engages successfully with its staff, clients and communities," said one member of the judging panel.