Innovative Lawyers 2025

LAWYERS WORLDWIDE
AWARDS MAGAZINE
INNOVATIVE
LAWYERS
2025

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Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine
Innovative Lawyers 2025
Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine is recognised all over the world for our
comprehensive awards programs we run, taking votes from countries all over
the world to recognise the most prestigious professionals in their specialised
areas of practice.
The 2025 Awards recognises a select number of leading professional firms
around the world working both nationally and internationally in their field of
expertise.
Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine selects the best professional & financial
institutions from around the world and showcases there work ethic and skills
within their area of expertise.
The Awards Magazine is aimed at not just the large corporations but the
smaller companies of the advisory business sector.
Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine is currently being read by Lawyers,
Advisers, Consultants and corporate executives.
We aim to showcase every company individually and to its full potential.

Lawyers Worldwide Awards Magazine
Innovative Lawyers 2025
Index
ADVANT Nctm
Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year – Italy
Agmon & Tulchinsky
Planning & Zoning Law Firm of the Year - Israel
Avocat à la Cour
Company Law Firm of the Year - France
Bondoc & Asociatii
Corporate Law Firm of the Year - Romania
Bufete Ruiz Durán
Constitutional Law Firm of the Year – Mexico
Deep & Far
Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year – Taiwan
Erdem & Erdem – Law Firm
International Commercial Law Firm of the Year - Turkey
Fakhoury Global Immigration
Immigration Law Firm of the Year – USA
Ilyashev & Partners
Foreign Investment Law Firm of the Year - Ukraine
Karanovic & Partners
Infrastructure Law Firm of the Year - Serbia
Khoshaim & Associates
Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year – Saudi Arabia
KSi Mexico
Accounting Firm of the Year – Mexico
Lavelle Partners
Corporate Restructuring Firm of the Year - Ireland
Law Office Of John Teakell
John Teakell
Criminal Defence Attorney of the Year – USA
McKennon Law Group PC
Insurance Litigation Law Firm of the Year – USA

MLL Legal
Licensing Law Firm of the Year - Switzerland
Musat & Asociatii
Insolvency & Restructuring Law Firm of the Year - Romania
O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors
Criminal Defence Law Firm of the Year – Australia
ODI Law Firm
Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year - Slovenia
Polenak Law Firm
Labour & Employment Law Firm of the Year - Macedonia
Romulo
IP Litigation Law Firm of the Year - Philippines
Seyfarth Shaw
International Employment Law Firm of the Year – Global
Schoenherr Halwa s.p.k.
Real Estate Law Firm of the Year – Poland
Taher Group Law Firm
Commercial Law Firm of the Year – Kuwait
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Corporate Governance Law Firm of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Banking & Investment Law Firm of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
Mergers & Acquisitions Law Firm of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
David A. Katz
Mergers & Acquisitions Lawyer of the Year – USA
Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
David A. Katz
Lawyer of the Year – USA
Westerberg & Partners
Media & Entertainment Law Firm of the Year - Sweden
Wikborg Rein
Contracts Law Firm of the Year – Norway
Zu’bi & Partners
Corporate Law Firm of the Year - Bahrain

Constitutional Law Firm of the Year – Mexico
Bufete Ruiz Duran SC Abogados are a boutique office specialized in litigation, criminal and
constitutional matters. They provide advice to natural and legal persons for the fulfilment
of their obligations before the corresponding authorities and the prevention of liability in
criminal matters.
Bufete Ruiz Durán S.C. is a firm specialized in providing comprehensive legal services in
criminal matters. They take care with professional excellence of the defence of people who
appear as indicted in a criminal process, as well as the legal advice and representation of
those who have been victims of a crime, providing close, reliable and discreet attention to
our clients.
Their lawyers are professionals educated in the best institutions of the country and the
world, they are jurists with a deep knowledge of the New Criminal Justice System, who
handle with the greatest skill the skills required for the new accusatory-adversary oral
system.
Among their clients are high-profile individuals, entrepreneurs, public servants, characters
from the political life of our country, companies and other individuals with important roles
in our society; who have trusted this Law Firm with the defence of their rights,
understanding that they deserve professional, specialized, prompt and confidential
attention.
Their mission is to be the leading criminal law firm in Mexico, as well as the main reference
of this practice for clients abroad, distinguishing ourselves by the highest ethical and
professional requirements of the criminal union in Mexico.
Pro Bono Work
The firm primarily attends to patrimonial issues, however, since the foundation of it, we
have set ourselves as a fundamental task to contribute to the community through the
provision of their non-profit professional services, to the people or organizations that
require it most.

Therefore, in the firm there is a high percentage of matters that are attended by Pro Bono,
reaching even 40% of the totality of the matters we attend.
Practice Areas:
• Advice and criminal litigation
• Criminal proceedings, both in the local, federal jurisdiction and within the Republic.
• Constitutional Law and Amparo in criminal matters
• Criminal Liability of Legal Persons and Companies
• Tax Crimes
• Financial Crimes
• Stock market crimes
• Electoral Crimes
• Environmental Crimes
• International Criminal Law and Extraditions
• Responsibility of Public Servants
• Operations with resources of illicit origin
• Property Crimes
• Sexual Crimes
• Compliance for companies in criminal matters
• Advice and pro bono representation of crime victims
MTRO. Diego Ruiz Drán – Founding Partner
Academic Training:
• Degree in Law – Free School of Law (2002-2007).
• Speciality in Criminal Sciences - Free School of Law (2008-2010).
• Master's Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice – University of Oxford (2011-
2012).
• Specialty in Accusatory System and Oral Trials – Free School of Law (2013)
• Diploma Law Firm Partner as Leader – University of Cambridge (2013).
• Diploma on the prevention of operations with resources of illicit origin - Free School
of Law (2013).
• Diploma in Anglo-Saxon Law "Essential Law for Executives" - Massachusetts
Institute Of Technology (2014).
• Diploma in Negotiation and Leadership - Harvard University. (2014).

Professional Experience:
• Bufete Ruiz Durán S.C. (2012- currently)
o
Founder of the office, dedicated to the free exercise of the profession
specifically in criminal and constitutional matters.
• LVIII Legislature. (2012-2013)
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Technical Secretary Of The Legislative Commission Of Government And
Constitutional Points Of The Congress Of The State Of Mexico.
• Nassar, Nassar And Associates S.C. ( 2007-2012)
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Associate of the Office.
• Mijares, Angoitia, Cortés And Fuentes S.C. Mexico. ( 2006- 2007)
• Ima De México, S.A. Of C.V. Mexico. (2005- 2006)
• White & Case S.C. Mexico.( 2004- 2005).
MASTER. RICARDO CAJAL DÍAZ – Director
Academic Training:
Degree in Law – Universidad Anahuac Norte (2007 – 2012)
Master's Degree in Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law – Diego Portales de Santiagi
University, Chile (2014-2015)
Professional Experience:
Ruiz Durán S.C. (2016 – Currently)
Coello Trejo y Asociados S.C. (2012 – 2016)
Nassar, Nassar and Associates S.C. (2009 – 2012)

MASTER. CARLOS EMILIO SANCHEZ COLORADO – Partner
Academic Training:
• Degree in Law – La Salle University. (1993-1998). ID: 289619.
• Diploma in Attorney General and Human Rights - Professional Training Institute of
the Attorney General's Office of the Federal District (2008).
• Speciality in Criminal Sciences. National Institute of Criminal Sciences. (2003)
• Diploma in Ministerial Research. – Vocational Training Institute of the Attorney
General's Office of the Federal District (2009).
• Master's Degree in Criminal Procedural Law, Accusatory Criminal Procedure, Oral
Trials, National Institute and Higher Studies in Criminal Law. (2010-2012). ID:
08700172.
• Interdisciplinary Exchange, "ALLIANCE PARNERSHIP" from April 13 to 17, 2015.
Taught by the State Alliance of the Conference of Attorneys General of the Western
States of the United States of America. (CWAG)
• Certification on Ministerial Function with Gender Perspective; issued on September
11, 2020. Institute of Vocational Training and Higher Education. Folio: IFPES-
FC/CUR-2-0135/2020.
• Certification of the Accusatory Criminal System for Agent of the Public Ministry,
Defender and Legal Advisor or Legal Advisor, with folio 397890704,- (September
29, 2020) by CENEVAL.
Professional Experience:
• Law firm Ruiz Durán S.C. (2021- currently)
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Associate, dedicated to the free exercise of the profession specifically in
criminal and constitutional matters.
• Attorney General's Office of Mexico City. (1996-2021)
o
o
o
o
Responsible for the Procedural Strategies Agency, in the Non-Serious Crimes
Prosecutor's Office, and in charge of Establishing the Accusatory Criminal
Procedure System. (2016-2020)
Responsible for the 10th Process Agency in the Non-Serious Crimes
Prosecutor's Office. (2013-2015)
Public Ministry Supervisor in the Central Prosecutor's Office for the
Investigation of Homicides, attached to the Agency Specialized in
Feminicides. (2012)
Agency Manager in the Central Investigation Prosecutor's Office for the
attention of Financial Crimes. (2007-2012).

o
o
o
Agent of the Public Ministry, in the Sub-Prosecurate of Central Prior
Investigations. (2005-2006)
Agent of the Public Ministry in the Central Prosecutor's Office of
Investigation for the attention of Financial Crimes (2000-2005).
Official Secretary of the Public Ministry, in the Deputy Prosecutor's Office "A"
of Criminal Procedures. (1996-2000).
• Notary 116 of the Federal District, with Lic. Ignacio R. Morales Lettuce. Intern. (1994-
1995).
Contact Details:
Address: Aguiar and Seijas 95, Col. Lomas de Chapultepec, Miguel Hidalgo Mayor's Office,
CP 11000, Mexico City
Tel No: +52 55 1552 0365/95
Fax: +52 55 3601 0601
Email Address: contacto@bufeteruizduran.com.mx

Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year – USA
John Teakell has a focused criminal law and securities background with over 30 years of
court room experience. He has a thorough knowledge of both federal and state crimes and
both federal and state court systems. He has handled thousands of cases ranging from
misdemeanors to federal death penalty cases. There is no case too complex for Mr. Teakell
to manage. During his time as being a criminal defense attorney, he has not only obtained
impeccable results but has also gained respect from fellow defense attorneys and
prosecutors as well as many of the judges in both the state and federal courts. He has
focused his practice on white collar crimes, drug crimes, computer crimes, firearms cases,
and SEC suits.
Mr. Teakell is known for his ability for attention to detail. That type of trait is most
important when evaluating facts of the case and constructing a defense strategy. He is a
compassionate person who will take the time to explain all the facts, phases, and processes
as he leads you through this time.
Mr. Teakell proves to be a man of integrity who will use his experience and knowledge to
fight in your defense.
Contact Details:
Practice Areas:
White Collar Crime
Computer Crimes
Federal Drug Conspiracy & Trafficking Defense
Gun Violations
Tax Evasion
Health Care Fraud
Theft / Embezzlement
Forfeitures
SEC Cases/ State Securities Board
Federal Procurement Fraud
Money Laundering
Address: 2911 Turtle Creek Blvd Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75219
Email: jteakell@teakelllaw.com
Phone: 214-523-9076
Fax: 214-523-9077

Criminal Defence Law Firm of the Year – Australia
At O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors law firm, their criminal defence lawyers understand
the urgency of safeguarding your freedom. With over twenty years of experience, O’Brien
Criminal & Civil Solicitors is a leading law firm in Sydney, dedicated to providing top-tier
legal services across Australia. Their Principal Solicitor, Peter O’Brien, and his team have a
proven track record in criminal defence, civil law, and defamation cases.
O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors is deeply committed to promoting equal access to
justice and addressing the systemic shortcomings within law enforcement agencies. Before
the firm’s inception, the deficiencies within law enforcement agencies went largely
unchallenged, until Mr Peter O’Brien, principal of the firm, started a practice that focused
on holding police accountable through civil actions. As pioneers in this area, they have led
the way in cases involving unlawful arrest, police misconduct, and abuse, achieving
significant compensation and favourable outcomes for our clients. Their dedication to these
causes continues to drive them as they strive to ensure justice for those affected by law
enforcement overreach.
What makes their firm stand out from other plaintiff law firms is their holistic and deeply
personal approach to client service. They understand that legal issues are often just one
piece of a much larger puzzle, and they aim to address the full spectrum of our clients’
needs - whether legal, personal or financial. Their firm’s approach is rooted in empathy,
healing and a dedication to making a tangible difference in their clients’ lives, especially
when most have been exploited or harmed by private or governmental institutions, such as
police or army training schools – institutions who are trusted by people to promote safety
and accountability.
Peter O’Brien – Principal Solicitor
Peter is the Principal Solicitor and founder of O’Brien Criminal and Civil Solicitors. He is a
highly experienced criminal defence and civil lawyer with more than twenty-five years of
experience in NSW and interstate.

Early Career:
– In 1998, Peter started his impactful work at the Legal Aid NSW’s Children’s Centre,
where he dedicated two years to representing the most vulnerable in our society.
– His advocacy work continued at the Aboriginal Legal Service from 2000 to 2006.
– Acting solicitor for the Children’s Legal Service of NSW,
– He also worked for the Katherine Regional Aboriginal Legal Aid Service in the
Northern Territory (2001-2005),
– Peter held a senior role at the NSW Legal Aid Commission (2006-2008); and
– He lectured within the Law Faculty at the University of Technology Sydney (2006-
2013).
Peter has received many awards in his career, including:
– Awarded Children’s Lawyer of the Year for the Northern Territory in 2001.
– The Human Rights Law Award in 2016.
– Peter was announced as Doyles ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in 2020.
– In 2023, the Law Society of NSW awarded Peter the prestigious Presidents Medal.
– In 2024, the Law Council of Australia awarded Peter the prestigious Presidents
Medal for his contribution to the Law.
– In 2024 his firm was awarded the Pro Bono Service Award from the Law Society of
NSW.
Contact Details:
O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors
www.obriensolicitors.com.au
Phone: 02 9261 4281
Fax: 02 9261 4282
PO Box: 20073, World Square, NSW 2002
A: Level 4, 219 Castlereagh St Sydney NSW

Insolvency & Restructuring Law Firm of the Year –
Romania
Muşat & Asociaţii’s name stands for the highest level of expertise and commitment in
assisting our clients in their business. For 27 years, Muşat & Asociaţii has provided legal
advice for the most dynamic national and multinational private companies across various
industries, as well as for state owned companies and the Romanian authorities.
Our diverse practice allows us to work for many major US and EU corporations investing or
doing business in Romania, most of which are listed in the Fortune 500.
The firm has been at the forefront of the country’s legal and business development,
anticipating the evolving needs of its clients and involved in the biggest transactions on the
local market. We pride ourselves on our impressive portfolio of mandates, always setting
legal precedents and breaking new ground. Today, this unmatched experience in all areas
of business law is put to the service of our clients.
We focus on constantly developing value-added, tailor-made legal services, aimed at
enabling our clients' business progress in a legally sound environment.
“Our mission is to turn our knowledge into client value.”
Mihai Popa is a long standing partner within Mușat & Asociații and the Head of our
Restructuring & Insolvency practice. He has built an extensive professional expertise as
business lawyer and insolvency practitioner. He joined Musat & Asociatii in 2005 and
gathered a remarkable expertise in the Insolvency industry and has gained vast knowledge
in dealing with all types of restructuring and insolvency procedure from complex
administrations to extensive bankruptcies. He assisted clients throughout all the steps of
reorganization and insolvency, including judicial and voluntary reorganization, pre–
insolvency proceedings, bankruptcy and liquidation, asset recovery and/or negotiations
with debtors and creditors.
He is a thoughtful strategist and manages complex litigation files in the insolvency field,
including recovery of receivables, cancellation of fraudulent acts, challenging the measures
ordered by judicial receivers, successfully handling assignments entrusted by clients in a
wide range of sectors, such as energy, constructions, pharma, retail or financial.
Mihai’s extensive professional background and knowledge allows him to provide excellent
advice to our clients, and ensure the smooth and confidential management of their affairs.
Over the years, our restructuring and insolvency team has successfully guided clients
through complex and extensive restructuring, insolvency or liquidation procedures with the
utmost diligence and professionalism. A quick look through our client portfolio illustrates

our sheer expertise and know-how, as well as our clients’ appreciation for our work,
commitment and determination in achieving their goals.
Our expertise spans over the most diversified sectors, such as energy, pharmaceuticals, real
estate, oil and gas, maritime technology, ferrous and nonferrous industry, transportation or
constructions, and this helps us provide swift and tailored solutions to each case with ease.
Our longstanding practice, integrated approach and sound knowledge of the local market
enable us to assist clients irrespective of the side, level or involvement within a
restructuring or insolvency procedure.
We deliver prime services either as insolvency practitioners, while being appointed as
judicial administrator, liquidator or conciliator of the debtors, or as lawyers, to the most
beneficial outcome for our clients.
Our core restructuring and insolvency team includes highly qualified insolvency
practitioners, lawyers, tax advisers and other consultants.
Apart of our core team, we are one of a few Romanian firms to provide our clients with
integrated services on restructuring and insolvency matters, drawing from the experience of
our other departments and from our collaborations with elite practitioners in other
jurisdictions.
In the Restructuring/Insolvency field we have acted alongside our clients in all types of
situations, including:
• Insolvency procedures
• Refinancing’s
• Capital Restructuring
• Sovereign debt and bank restructuring
• Advice to companies in financial difficulty
• Distressed corporate finance
The client's interests and confidentiality have always been paramount in Muşat &
Asociaţii's
Code of professional conduct.
MUȘAT & ASOCIAȚII – AT A GLANCE OUR FIRM'S CORE VALUES:
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27 years of proud history
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80% of the clients are major foreign companies
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More than 100 lawyers
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Over 2500 clients
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Wide experience in over 20 areas of practice
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27 years of continuous collaboration with major worldwide law firms
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Legal excellence
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Client service
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Teamwork

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Visionary management
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Commitment
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Results
Over the years, our restructuring and insolvency team has successfully guided clients
through complex and extensive restructuring, insolvency or liquidation procedures with the
utmost diligence and professionalism. A quick look through our client portfolio illustrates
our sheer expertise and know-how, as well as our clients’ appreciation for our work,
commitment and determination in achieving their goals.
Our expertise spans over the most diversified sectors, such as energy, pharmaceuticals, real
estate, oil and gas, maritime technology, ferrous and nonferrous industry, transportation or
constructions, and this helps us provide swift and tailored solutions to each case with ease.
Our longstanding practice, integrated approach and sound knowledge of the local market
enable us to assist clients irrespective of the side, level or involvement within a
restructuring or insolvency procedure.
We deliver prime services either as insolvency practitioners, while being appointed as
judicial administrator, liquidator or conciliator of the debtors, or as lawyers, to the most
beneficial outcome for our clients.
Our core restructuring and insolvency team includes highly qualified insolvency
practitioners, lawyers, tax advisers and other consultants.
Apart of our core team, we are one of a few Romanian firms to provide our clients with
integrated services on restructuring and insolvency matters, drawing from the experience of
our other departments and from our collaborations with elite practitioners in other
jurisdictions.
In the Restructuring/Insolvency field we have acted alongside our clients in all types of
situations, including:
• Insolvency procedures
• Refinancing’s
• Capital Restructuring
• Sovereign debt and bank restructuring
• Advice to companies in financial difficulty
• Distressed corporate finance
A Selection of Musat & Asociatii Cases:
• Acting as liquidator of Termoelectrica S.A., the largest Romanian electricity
producer, during its voluntary winding-up and bankruptcy. Our mandate covers all steps
and operations of the liquidation process, including the drawing up the assets realization
strategy and plan, performing the legal due diligence over the assets and addressing ongoing
concerns pertaining to the company and recovery of debts.
• Acting as judicial administrator and liquidator of Energoconstrucția S.A., one of
the largest local companies in the construction sector. The total amount of receivables
requested by creditors during the case amounts to roughly EUR 100,000,000.

• Representing Deutsche Bahn Group, the German national railway company, in the
insolvency proceeding initiated against the railway manufacturers Astra Vagoane Arad,
Meva and Romvag, aiming to recover important commercial debts.
• Acting as judicial administrator of Servicii Energetice Oltenia S.A., a leading local
company active in the field of electrical network maintenance, in view of identifying and
implementing a major reorganization process required for optimizing the core activity of
the company, the personnel structure and the receivables collection.
• Assisting Enel SPA, a major European energy distributor in the successful
restructuring of its Romanian subsidiaries in an unbundling process of its supply and
distribution divisions in Romania.
• Assisting Anchor Group (a leading real estate investment group) during the
insolvency procedures initiated against debtors, arisen from the infringement of a FIDIC
construction agreement, with aggregate claims of approx. EUR 21.000.000.
• Advising Cooperative Centrale Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank BA, a Dutch
multinational company, specialized in financial and banking services, within the insolvency
procedure of Oltchim, one of the largest State-owned companies in the chemical industry,
aiming to recover important commercial debts.
• Acting as judicial administrator of Belaria Hotels (former Complex Onyx), a major
local service provider in hospitality industry. Our mandate covers all steps of the
restructuring process, which includes designing the reorganization strategy, preparing the
Reorganization Plan and supervising the implementation process.
• Assisting Caterpillar Financial Services, the local subsidiary of the financing
division of the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, in more
than 30 cases involving insolvency procedure and enforcement actions for the repossession
of industrial equipment against its Romanian debtors, pursuing the recovery of over EUR
3,000,000 debts.
• Representing SERMEDIC, the Romanian subsidiary of SERVIER, the largest French
pharmaceuticals producer, within the insolvency procedure of a major Romanian
pharmaceutical distributor, ADM Farm SRL. Our mandate includes drafting the statements
of receivables, representation before the syndic judge and in the creditors’ assemblies,
drafting and defending challenges regarding the registration of receivables in the list of
debts, the aggregated receivables requested by all creditors amounting to approximately
EUR 63,000,000.
• Assisting Romanian Government and the Ministry of Communication and
Information Technology (as a part of a consortium with Roland Berger), in connection
with a complex restructuring process involving Compania Nationala Posta Romana SA
(The Romanian Post Office) as a first step towards its privatization to a strategic investor.
• Advising Sefi, a leading French company acting in the field of fire safety, in relation
to the insolvency procedure of the main manufacturer on the Romanian electronic security
system market, as well as in the OEM system production in connection with the recovery of
significant commercial debts and the reposition of equipment granted to the debtor.
• Advising AerSale, a Global leader in the supply of aftermarket aircraft, engines,
OEM material and asset management services – in relation to the recovery of an
approximately EUR 4,500,000 commercial debt against an insolvent major low-cost airline
carrier with operations in Romania.
• Assisting Sony Europe, the leading global manufacturer of audio, video,
communications and information technology, with regard to restructuring its activities in
Romania following the merger between two of its subsidiaries.

• Advising Kaufland Romania SCS, a subsidiary of the Schwarz Group, the world's
fourth largest retailer, involved in the Romanian market since 2005. The mandate includes
legal assistance and representation within the insolvency procedure of an important
entrepreneurship and project management company in construction and installation field,
located in Brasov County, aiming to recovering significant secured receivables.
• Representing CA Indosuez Switzerland (former Credit Suisse Agricole) an
important Swiss player in the financial industry, in connection to the recovery of million
euros receivable from a Romanian insolvent company producing heat energy and
electricity.
• Advising Thyssen Krupp throughout the insolvency proceedings declared against
several of its significant commercial debtors in connection with the recovery of multimillion
euro secured and unsecured receivables.
• Representing Transas Marine International, a leading Swedish company, provider
of navigation systems and integrated bridge solutions, recognized training and simulation
solutions, renowned VTMS and coastal surveillance systems within the insolvency
procedure of Asesoft International, aiming to recover important commercial debts.
• Advising Trust International Insurance and Reinsurance Company B.S.C.,
during the bankruptcy proceedings of Carpatica Asig and Astra Asigurari in connection
with the recovery of significant debts.
• Assisting ECE Projektmanagement Romania, during the insolvency/bankruptcy
proceedings of MYO-0 and River Invest, pursuing to recovery important debts. Our
mandate includes drafting the statements of receivables, representation before the syndic
judge and in the creditors’ assemblies, drafting and defending challenges regarding the
registration of receivables in the list of debts.
• Advising Piraeus Bank Romania on ways to preserve and ensure the priority of
bank’s receivables in the insolvency procedure of an important supplier of conductors and
wiring for the Romanian industry and exporter for the markets in Europe. The advice
touches on complex issues of law arising from interferences between insolvency regulations
and regulations on security interests and prevalence of the same.
• Assisting Teamnet International (a major Romanian IT company), throughout its
insolvency procedure, aiming to restructure the company’s activity and optimizing its
core activity.
• Providing legal assistance and representation for The Romanian Financial
Supervisory Authority in connection with the bankruptcy procedure of LIG INSURANCE, a
major insurance company. The advice covers complex issues of law arising from the
particular procedure applicable to insurance companies falling under financial difficulties.
• Assisting Abbot GmbH & Co.KG, a global healthcare, pharmaceutical and medical
devices company in the insolvency proceedings initiated against two Romanian healthcare
medical services companies in relation to the recovery of important outstanding
commercial debts and repossession of leased medical equipment.
• Representing Compania de Apa Targoviste, a water supply services provider
controlled by a local territorial authority – in relation to the recovery of a commercial debt
exceeding EUR 4,000,000 during the insolvency procedure against its debtor and its
guarantor, Confort and Vel Service, both well-known Romanian infrastructure contractors.
• Representing Roche Romania, the local subsidiary of the world’s leading healthcare
groups, during the insolvency procedure initiated against a major Romanian distributor of
pharmaceutical products and two local pharmaceuticals store chains, for the recovery of
multimillion euro commercial debts.

• Advising Rizzo Ecologic, an Italian based multinational company active in the field
of waste water collection, treatment and disposal against its Romanian debtor, during the
insolvency procedure, following a multimillion commercial litigation.
• Representing Kiat Group Construct (one of Romania’s largest construction
companies), in matters pertaining to insolvency procedure filed against the client. Our
mandate involves the proof the company’s solvency state and the dismissal of the
plaintiffs’ claims as ungrounded.
• Representing Copisa Constructora Pirenaica Barcelona (one of the largest firms in
the construction sector in Europe), in matters pertaining to insolvency procedure filed
against the client. Our mandate involves the proof of the company’s solvency state and
the dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims as ungrounded.
Contact Details:
Mihai Popa, Partner and Head of Restructuring & Insolvency
E-mail: mihai.popa@musat.ro
Phone: +40 21 202 59 00

Immigration Law Firm of the Year – USA
FGI was founded as Fakhoury Law Group in 1997 exclusively serving U.S.
businesses’ immigration needs. In 2006, FGI was formed as a separate entity to
offer immigration services to a global clientele. The two entities are currently in the
process of merging under the FGI namesake with global operations taking the
name of Fakhoury Global Professional Services, Inc. Starting with Mumbai, India,
FGI rapidly opened a series of branch offices in California, New York, and Florida.
We achieved ISO certificated in 2005 and were ranked as an AV Preeminent law
firm by Martindale Hubbell in 2012. As we have grown, FGI has acquired a global
staff of over 100 attorneys, paralegals and specialized staff with expertise in all
major U.S. visa classifications (H-1Bs, L-1s, EBs, O, TN, etc.) as well as those from
foreign countries due to our extensive network Alliance Partner Network. FGI has
grown to become Michigan’s largest independently-owned immigration law firm.
Fakhoury Global Immigration (FGI) specializes in U.S. and global business-based
immigration. Our client list comprises some of the world's most innovative brands
in the automotive, engineering, healthcare, and IT industries. FGI is a leading
service provider to high volume visa filers and have served clients in over 100
countries.
What makes FGI unique is our three-part service approach. First, we have a single
point-of-contact case management system so that clients always know who is in
charge of these cases. Second, we feature Six Sigma-certified streamlined and
technology-driven petition processing that maximizes efficiency, shortens time-tofiling,
and has enabled us to achieve 98-99% success rates in many visa categories.
Finally, we offer a competitive flat fee structure that enables our clients to plan and
budget their immigration-related activities effectively and confidently.
A prospective client asked if we could develop a central case management
repository into which four of their globally based immigration law consuls could
input and update case information. We modified our existing case management
system to capture seamlessly and to report each case that the external immigration
providers processed.
Currently, our firm’s managing director is Rami D. Fakhoury, who is also founder
of the firm. Carmen Fakhoury is President of FGI’s global arm, Fakhoury Global
Professional Services, Inc. The firm’s attorneys control client teams that manage
specific client accounts and serve as single-point-of-contacts for their assigned
clients. Their teams generally consist of a paralegal and a support staff member
(such as a technical writer). Our attorneys specialize in multiple visa categories.
Our firm and attorneys have received multiple awards such as our inclusion in U.S.
News and World Report’s Best Law Firms for 2016 and 2017, Corporate NTL’s
Global Immigration Law Firm of the Year, and Who’s Who Legal Corporate
Immigration for 2016 and 2017, among others. These awards testify to our

thought leadership, high ethical standards, and mastery of the domain of
immigration law.
Now more than ever, immigration has emerged as a national concern and firms like
FGI have an important role to play both for our clients and for the broader public.
With the increasingly likelihood of statutory and regulatory changes in the near
future, we think it vital to help our clients navigate this changing terrain as
smoothly and effectively as possible. To that end, we recently launched our
revamped and interactive website: www.fakhouryglobal.com. It features multiple
resources including Immigration Alerts which provide real-time updates of
immigration law changes in over 140 countries, Global Webinars which provide indepth
analysis on immigration trends, and a Global Immigration Resource Map
that links to digital process maps that provide updated procedures for securing
work permits and visas worldwide. More broadly, we believe we have an educative
role to play as thought leaders to the larger public. FGI participates in many
initiatives such as Global Detroit and the Forum for Expatriate Management that
inform the public on the positive impact that immigration has on the U.S. economy.
For more information about our services, please visit www.fakhouryglobal.com or
contact us at info@fakhouryglobal.com.
Contact Details:

Insurance Litigation Law Firm of the Year – USA
McKennon Law Group PC represents a full range of individuals, professionals, and businesses in all types of
insurance coverage, including bad faith litigation, disability insurance, life insurance, health insurance,
ERISA/employee benefits, long-term care insurance, property & casualty insurance, professional liability
insurance, insurance agent & broker liability, unfair competition and business litigation matters. We primarily
specialize in disability insurance; life insurance and ERISA litigation matters and we have been doing so for
over 30 years.
Our law firm is committed to the highest level of client service while maintaining the highest standards of legal
excellence and professional ethics. Our litigation practice is thoughtful, experienced, and integrated with each
client’s needs, budgets, and goals. We pride ourselves on our impeccable reputation for work product and
professional and client relationships along with our intelligent, innovative and practical approach to the practice
of law.
McKennon Law Group’s attorneys have attended the top law schools in the country and bring a strong sense of
pride and quality work ethic to everything they do. McKennon Law Group’s attorneys have big firm experience
because they previously practiced at some of California’s finest law firms. Therefore, they combine a rare mix
of big firm expertise and legal quality with small firm attention to your case. We are also able to provide our
clients with a level of trial experience rarely found in firms of our size. McKennon Law Group PC and its
attorneys have also received many prestigious awards and recognitions.
Our law firm specializes in arbitrations, trials and appeals on all lines of ERISA/Employee, insurance—life,
health, disability, property/casualty, commercial general liability, professional liability, officers and directors
liability, employment practices liability, and homeowners and business owners property and liability—
successfully resolving both coverage and bad faith claims on behalf of our clients. We represent our clients’
interests in all state and federal courts in California and in federal courts nationwide. We have been involved
with recovering multi-million dollar judgments, arbitration awards, and settlements for our clients.
Our attorneys have extensive experience representing insurance companies and policyholders in life, health,
disability and ERISA litigation, and in general liability, environmental, marine, and property/casualty litigation.
We have been involved with recovering several multi-million dollar judgments, arbitration awards, and
settlements for our clients.
Although we primarily litigate in California, we take cases nationally and we have extensive experience
litigating cases in other states, especially in the western United States, including Hawaii, Arizona and Nevada.
Most of our consumer litigation cases, and many of our business litigation cases, are taken on a contingency fee
basis, which means you pay nothing and we recover nothing unless you win your case by way of settlement or
verdict.
We welcome referrals from the legal community, and honour referral fee commitments in keeping with the rules
of professional conduct.
Robert J. McKennon is a founding shareholder of McKennon Law Group PC. He represents individuals and
small-to-large corporations in sophisticated litigation matters in state and federal court. He has recovered
millions of dollars for our clients from such insurance companies as: Unum, Prudential, Lincoln National,
Standard Life, Sun Life, Met Life, Hartford Life, Mass Mutual, Paul Revere, Provident, Trustmark and Aetna
for all types of insurance claims, including:
• Disability Insurance

• Life Insurance
• ERISA
• Health Insurance
• Long-Term Care
• Property & Casualty
Mr. McKennon is admitted to all federal and state courts in California, and regularly handles litigation matters
in federal courts in the Western United States. He is a nationally recognized expert in insurance litigation
matters and has tried, litigated, and resolved hundreds of insurance litigation matters, including
ERISA/employee benefit, life, health and long-term disability and short-term disability insurance, insurance
coverage, insurance bad faith, unfair trade practices, and insurance agent/broker litigation. Mr. McKennon has
also handled numerous business litigation cases in the areas of general business and contract disputes and unfair
competition.
Mr. McKennon frequently serves as a guest speaker at local and national conferences concerning life, health,
long-term disability, short-term disability and ERISA issues, and has chaired numerous national conferences on
these topics.
Mr. McKennon formerly represented numerous insurance companies in first-party insurance lawsuits involving
life, health and short-term and long-term disability insurance disputes, insurance bad faith and punitive damages
for over twenty-four years. He now represents insureds, claimants, businesses and other consumers who believe
that their insurance companies have improperly denied their claims for insurance benefits.
Mr. McKennon was the founder and editor of the Life, Health & Disability Insurance Law Blog at
lifehealthdisabilityinsurancelaw.com while he was a partner at Barger & Wolen LLP.
He is currently the editor of the California Insurance Litigation Blog at californiainsurancelitigation.com. He is
also a regular contributing author of insurance articles in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, the most read and
respected legal journal in California. The nationally respected Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and the
nationwide Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers has awarded Mr. McKennon their highest possible rating,
“AV.” This assessment is based on confidential recommendations received exclusively from lawyers and
judges. The rating highlights an attorney’s competence, ethical conduct, professional ability, diligence and
overall performance. Mr. McKennon has been also awarded AVVO’s rating of “Superb,” 10.0 out of a possible
10.0, which also highlights an attorney’s competence, ethical conduct, professional ability, diligence and overall
performance. Mr. McKennon has also been recognized as a 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 Southern
California “Super Lawyer,” which recognizes him as one of California’s top attorneys in ERISA and insurance
coverage matters. Mr. McKennon was recently profiled in Forbes, American Lawyer, Coast magazine, Los
Angeles Times, Corporate Counsel, and National Law Journal as a top Southern California insurance and
business litigation attorney. Mr. McKennon was named as one of Orange County Register Metro’s Top
Southern California Attorneys for 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Mr. McKennon was also named as a Corporate
Livewire’s Global Awards for several years as Newport Beach, Orange County, California “Insurance &
Reinsurance” Lawyer of the Year. The American Society of Legal Advocates has recognized him as one of the
top 100 Insurance lawyers in the State of California for several years.
Aggressive Advocacy
Unlike many firms that are interested in doing as little work as possible because they know they will settle all
cases, we aggressively litigate our cases, and we are not afraid to take our cases to trial. Our attorneys have
extensive trial experience, and our strong reputation for excellence in trial advocacy will inure to your benefit
when settlement discussions occur. This will maximize your settlement potential.
Integrity

We place a very high value on integrity and fidelity to our clients’ interests. You will get an honest assessment
of your case during all phases of the pre-litigation and litigation process. You can expect a full and honest
accounting of expenses relating to your case, including outlays for court costs, preparation of exhibits, hiring
expert witnesses, obtaining medical records and depositions.
Excellence
Our attorneys are graduates of the top law schools in the country and previously have practiced law at large
firms where we honed our litigation skills. We take pride in the quality of law that we practice. We engage in
the necessary investigation and preparation of your case to ensure we achieve the best possible results for our
clients. This preparation will include thorough investigation of facts and documentation, appropriate legal
research, development of appropriate courtroom exhibits, hiring of experts, engaging in necessary discovery and
more.
Trust
We pride ourselves on the relationships we have built with our clients. Our practice has been built on the
confidence our clients have placed in us. When we commit ourselves to your case, you can count on the fact that
you will receive the best representation available. We maintain regular and appropriate communication with you
throughout your case and treat you as a vital and necessary team member as we litigate your case. As a result,
we are proud of the referrals we receive from our clients, other attorneys and professionals.
Personal Attention
Rather than create a high-volume law practice, we limit the cases we accept to provide you with the personal
attention you need and deserve. You will not be passed off to case managers or intake personnel, a common
practice in many firms. We are committed to the highest level of client service and we are committed to
ensuring you are satisfied with our level of service to you and the results we receive on your behalf. As your
case progresses, you will be apprised of developments and important events as they occur
Experience
There are few firms anywhere that have more experience in handling insurance coverage, ERISA and insurance
bad faith litigation than our firm, and we bring that experience to bear in every case we litigate. For nearly 30
years, we have successfully arbitrated and litigated insurance, business and employment litigation cases. Mr.
McKennon is an accomplished trial attorney and is a nationally recognized expert in disability insurance, life
insurance and ERISA/employee benefits litigation. He has chaired, and been a frequent speaker at, numerous
local and national conferences on the subjects of disability insurance, insurance coverage, and life insurance and
ERISA/employee benefits litigation. He has also authored numerous articles and book chapters on the subjects
of disability insurance, insurance coverage, and life insurance and ERISA/employee benefits litigation. Mr.
McKennon has received the highest possible rating for legal ethics and legal abilities. He is AV® Peer Review
Rated and has received the highest AVVO rating of “Superb.” Mr. McKennon was recognized as a 2011, 2012,
2013 and 2014 Southern California Super Lawyer, a recognition given to fewer than 5% of attorneys in the
country. As indicated in his attorney profile section of this website, Mr. McKennon has been recently profiled
in several magazines and other articles, and has received several recognitions and awards as a top California
insurance coverage, ERISA and business litigation attorney.
Contact Details:
Robert J McKennon
Address: 20321 SW Birch St.,
Suite 200, Newport Beach, California 92660
Tel. (949) 387-9595
Fax: (949) 385-5165
Email: rm@mckennonlawgroup.com
Web: www.mckennonlawgroup.com
Blog: www.californiainsurancelitigation.com

IP Litigation Law Firm of the Year – Philippines
Romulo traces its roots to the law firm of Gibbs, McDonough and Ozaeta, which practiced law in the
Philippines in the early 1900s. Allison D Gibbs was a well-known tax and corporate lawyer and
Charles A McDonough was a name in criminal law practice. Roman A Ozaeta, who later became a
distinguished justice of the Supreme Court, and his son, Herminio, an outstanding corporate lawyer
in his own right, re-established the firm in 1957. The firm underwent several name changes because of
a rule limiting the partnership name to living and active partners (a rule which was subsequently
abolished), and eventually acquired its present name.
The current partners are Ricardo J Romulo and Jose F Buenaventura. One partner, Exequiel B Javier,
is on leave, having been elected as governor of Antique province. In addition, the firm currently has
98 lawyers.
Romulo is the only Philippine firm with an office in Hong Kong. It provides international investors
with advice on Philippine law and advises Philippine clients on international transactions. However,
it is not permitted to practice Hong Kong law.
Practice Areas:
Banking & Finance
Corporate
Intellectual Property
Labour & Immigration
Litigation & Arbitration
Technology, Media & Telecommunications
Project Development & Finance
Real Estate & Natural Resources
Securities
Taxation
Transportation
Contact Details:
21st FLOOR, PHILAMLIFE TOWER, 8767 PASEO DE ROXAS, MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 2 848 0114 Fax: +63 2 810 3110
www.romulo.com

Intellectual Property Law Firm of the Year –
Taiwan
Deep & Far attorneys-at-law was founded in 1992 and is dealing with all phases of laws
with a focus on the practice in separate or in combination of all aspects of intellectual
property rights (IPRs) including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, unfair
competition, and/or licensing, counselling, litigation and/or transaction thereof.
Yu-Li Tsai: Partner & Patent Attorney
Practice area/industry focus: Intellectual Property, Unfair Competition, Litigation
Career highlights: Mr Tsai is a patent attorney who holds a degree from the Department of
Electrical Engineering and Master’s degree from the Graduate Institute of Communication
Engineering, both awarded from the National Taiwan University.
His practice covers patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, unfair competition,
licensing and litigation.
Mr Tsai also studied and gained a Master’s degree from the Law School, University of New
Hampshire, also known as Franklin Pierce Centre for Intellectual Property. Upon
graduation, he worked for InterDigital, Inc. in Delaware for a short period and later studied
and passed the US Patent Registration Examination.
The patent attorneys and patent engineers in Deep & Far normally hold outstanding and
advanced degrees and are generally graduated from the top five universities in this country.
Our prominent staffs are dedicated to provide the best quality service in IPRs in this
country. As a proof, about one half of top 100 incorporations in this country have
experiences of seeking patented their techniques, but more than one fifth of the top 100
incorporations has ever used services of this firm. Furthermore, Hi-Tech companies in the
science-based industrial park located at Hsin Chu had ever played the most important role
in booming the economy of this country. About one half of them has experiences in seeking
patented their techniques, and out of more than 60% of the patent-experienced companies
in that park have ever entrusted their IPR works to this firm. Certainly, we must also
represent international giants, e.g. InterDigital, MPS, Schott Glas, Toyo Ink, Motorola,
Armani…
It is our philosophy to provide competent legal services that other firm cannot comparably
provide. The necessitated ensuing problem is how we can so provide? Deep & Far so achieve
by selecting, edifying and nurturing peoples who have the following personalities: learned in
expertise, morally earnest and sincerely behaved in mind and strictly disciplined between
give and take. It is well-believed that such properties are key factors for peoples to properly
and competently behave themselves.
Deep & Far (D&F) is willing to take challenges to prove that it is the best IP firm, and to
verify its supreme competence by e.g.:
1) Sending to D&F a pending or granted patent for its comments about how it can improve
the claims;
2) Sending to D&F a pending patent specification without the claims for it to draft the
claims for comparison with the original claims; or

3) Sending to D&F and the firm the client is currently using at the same time an initial
disclosure so that the client can compare and find out where better claims are.
Deep & Far assures the clients that no competitors can escape from the patent rights D&F
safeguards for the clients at reasonable service fees.
Because the tough economic downturn we are encountering in Taiwan, we are also
encountering severe price competition. This situation also leads to that there are too many
poor quality patents being granted because most enterprises do not have proper knowledge
of the importance of patents. For example, they might only want to spend lower cost to file
a patent application without considering the quality, or could not be alerted timely that
narrow claims can protect their products of the current version only although there are
reduced fees in responding to office actions. Therefore, the patent agents or firms of the
enterprises sometimes cannot help but sacrificing the quality to keep profits under the
limited budgets of the clients. Under such social environment, it is very hard to anticipate
that the clients have strong patents, or the patent firms or attorneys can nurture the ability
of drafting wonderful scope of the claims.
Accordingly, it will not be surprised to find that there are some patent firms which cannot
provide competent services but offer extreme low price to attract clients only caring about
the price of filing a patent. This does also explain that there are poor quality patents being
granted
We persist in providing quality service rather than participating into the price war because
we believe the Client will finally find the quality is the most important thing for intellectual
property. If you sacrifice the quality and surrender to the price, you actually get negative
return because .a poor quality IP is valueless. We did suffer a little last year in view of the
reduced local generated works, but we see the situation began to change this year.
This firm is used to focusing on IPR, and takes deliberate steps to practice in all fields of
law. In recent year, we make progress in either general civil law, business law or criminal
law fields.
Contact Details
13th Fl., 27 Sec. 3, Chung San N. Rd., Taipei 104, Taiwan, R.O.C.
': 886-2-25856688
7: 886-2-25989900/25978989
Email: email@deepnfar.com.tw
www.deepnfar.com.tw

Accounting Firm of the Year –
Mexico
KSI México is a global network, member of KS International, an association of
independent accountancy firms with over 100 offices; we operate in some 50
countries around the world to deal with your international business need.
KSI México offers a personal service, focused on the growth and success of our
clients. We outstand for the quality of our services, offering a complete solution for
each client.
We provide a wide range of business service to companies in a variety of industries.
The firm specializes in corporate finance advice, accounting, tax planning,
consultation, and auditing services.
We belong to the PCAOB (Public Company Accounting Oversight Board), as a
corporation to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect the
interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of
informative, accurate and independent audit reports.
Our commitment is to help your business succeed by keeping up-to-date with your
affairs and offering a high standard of both commercial and supportive advice.
The Key to our approach is to build a close relationship between partner and client.
Qualities you will find in a KSI México firm include:
A real understanding of your business.
The partners are in tune with your needs and aspirations.
Regular attention and support from accessible partners.
Commercial realism in the advice you receive.
Technically reliable responses to your enquiries.
Additionally, KSI México firm attach great importance to recruiting and training
quality staff.

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