Finalists: Al Jallaf Advocates & Legal Consultants; KBH Kaanuun; Meysan Partners (Highly Commended); The Bench.

Tribonian Law Advisors was handed the Regional Law firm of the Year (Small Practice) title as this nimble boutique firm continues to build its reputation as an M&A and corporate finance specialist in the region.

With offices in Dubai (in association with Rindala Beydoun Legal Consultancy) and in Beirut and Riyadh (in association with Al-Kheraiji Law Office), the firm has assembled a small team of expert lawyers with international experience as it seeks to become the leading Middle East practice for M&A and private equity matters.

It is already gaining a solid reputation, having worked on some of the region's largest M&A transactions in the healthcare sector, including a series of acquisitions involving NMC Healthcare.

During the past year, the firm has added more than two dozen new clients, including expanding its market reach into Italy. TLA also has a number of CSR initiatives on the go, such as running a scholarship programme with the Lebanese International Finance Executives Association and helping raise funds for the Breast Cancer Arabia Foundation.

"Punching way above their weight," observed one judge. "TLA seems to be competing with much larger firms and winning deals [and] has managed to avoid being branded a local firm."

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