CMS, Eversheds Sutherland, Clyde & Co and DLA Piper are among the firms competing to be named International Law Firm of the Year at the Middle East Legal Awards.

Completing the line-up in this flagship category at the awards – which are jointly hosted by Legal Week and the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Middle East Chapter – are Baker McKenzie, BonelliErede, Dentons, Pinsent Masons and PwC Legal Middle East.

The shortlist showcases the region's top lawyers and legal departments.

Among the companies represented in the in-house categories are Accenture, Standard Chartered and Unilever.

The awards will take place at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Dubai on 18 April.

Regional firms represented on the shortlist include Al Qaisi & Co, Al Tamimi & Company, Galadari and Hadef & Partners, which line up in the Regional Law Firm of the Year – Large Firm category.

The awards are divided into in-house and private practice sections. Law firm team awards cover a range of practice areas including corporate, banking and finance, construction and arbitration.

The winners will be chosen by an independent judging panel chaired by Anneliese Reinhold, general counsel of listed UAE telecommunications operator 'du'.

Last year's winners included DLA Piper, which was awarded International Law Firm of the Year, while the the ACC Middle East Achievement Award, was handed to Mark Beer OBE, chief executive of Dubai International Financial Centre's Dispute Resolution Authority.

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