Clifford Chance, Hogan Lovells, Withers and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom are among the firms to have been shortlisted for International Law Firm of the Year at The Asia Legal Awards.

Also vying for the showcase category at March's ceremony are Davis Polk & Wardwell and Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. The awards, which are hosted by The Asian Lawyer, take place on 21 March at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Hong Kong.

The awards recognise the region's landmark deals, best-performing law firms and standout partners. An in-house team of the year is also honoured. Shortlisted deals in the M&A category include Takeda's $58bn acquisition of Shire, and The Carlyle Group's $1.2bn sale of Korean security systems company ADT Caps.

The M&A Firm of the Year category sees Singapore's Allen & Gledhill, India's AZB & Partners, Korea's Kim & Chang, China's Zhong Lun Law Firm and Japan's Nishimura & Asahi all compete with global players CC, Dechert and Hogan Lovells.

Skadden and Sullivan & Cromwell will face competition from CC and China's Commerce and Finance and King & Wood Mallesons in Securities Firm of the Year.

Winners in 2018 included Davis Polk, which was received International Law Firm of the Year, and Korean firm Lee & Ko which took home Asian Law Firm of the Year.

Click here to read the full shortlist. To reserve your table, book online here, or contact Jon Radley at [email protected]