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ACC Europe
The ILO European Counsel Awards 2009
Posted: May 4, 2009
General Counsel of the Year Pascal Duclos of Dufry Group receives his award from James Bellerjeau, president of ACC Europe, and Fred Krebs, president of the ACC.
The in-house community is a vital piston in the corporate engine. It works tirelessly to keep the wheels of commerce turning smoothly. But never are its responsibilities more important than when the economic times are tough. It is then that the value which sterling legal counsel can add to a business becomes a priceless asset.
The economic climate may have cooled since ILO launched the European Counsel Awards in association with ACC Europe back in 2008. However, the purpose of the initiative - to recognize those who have excelled across the full spectrum of in-house legal work - is of even greater relevance today. In troubled times, special credit should be given to those who strive to minimize corporate risk and exposure.
The ILO research team has developed a failsafe strategy for identifying truly stellar performances. It looks beyond the big-ticket deals and high-profile transactions, and instead focuses directly on those who have demonstrated what it takes to add real value day in and day out: senior in-house counsel and law firm partners. This year ILO received more than 3,000 individual nominations. Because no candidate can make the shortlist without multiple nominations and awards are presented in only those categories for which more than 200 nominations are received, there is no risk of the results being skewed by personal interests or agendas.
This year's awards were presented at a black-tie dinner at London's prestigious Dorchester Hotel. More than 300 senior counsel from over 60 countries gathered to celebrate the achievements of the profession's elite. Pascal Duclos of Dufry Group took home the coveted General Counsel of the Year award, receiving an unprecedented 106 individual nominations from no fewer than 34 law firms. Presenting the trophy alongside James Bellerjeau and ACC President Fred Krebs, ILO Publisher Edward Costelloe quoted from one enthusiastic recommendation: "He exhibits all the qualities that make dealing with corporate counsel a pleasure. He is knowledgeable, decisive, attentive, prompt, responsive and courteous. He has one of the most thorough and active legal minds I have ever faced."
This year also saw the introduction of two new awards in response to feedback from ACC members and ILO subscribers. David Anderson at Macquarie Capital (individual) and AP Møller - Mærsk (team) were the winners of the first Corporate Tax awards, while Simon Cresswell at Goldman Sachs International (individual) and E.ON (team) scooped the new M&A awards. Meanwhile, it was a case of second time lucky for Karl Hennessee of Airbus (Litigation) and the team at Premier Oil (General Commercial), who were both honoured this year after making this shortlist in 2008.
The Best Training Programme award went to Goldman Sachs. The bank impressed with the depth and diversity of its internal training programme, which is provided in addition to its extensive continuing education scheme. The programme has operated as a three-pillar curriculum since late 2005 under the broader 'Goldman Sachs University' banner.
Once the 18 trophies had been presented, the guests repaired to the Dorchester's Gold Room to refresh old friendships and forge new contacts. The timeless setting and the wealth of in-house talent assembled served as reassurance that while the terrain today may be challenging, there are steady hands at the wheel.
A full list of nominees and winners and photographs from the evening are available online at http://www.europeancounselawards.com.
