Top dealmakers at Browne Jacobson

Browne Jacobson's corporate team have been named Legal Team of the Year at the East Midlands Dealmakers 2011 Awards Dinner.

The team have now won the award for the second time in four years and this year beat off competition from Eversheds, HBJ Gateley Wareing and Freeth Cartwright.

According to the organisers: "Browne Jacobson was on the end of most of the meatier deals in the region this year and has garnered praise for its professionalism and speed of service."

The award caps a memorable year for the twenty-plus strong corporate team who advised on more than 80 deals over the past 12 months with a deal value in excess of £1 billion, including acting for:

• the original sellers of St Tropez in the sale by the majority shareholders of the St Tropez Group to PZ Cussons
• CNG Holdings, the second largest provider of short term loans in the USA, on the acquisition of Cash Generator
• Macintosh Retail Group NV on the acquisition of UK shoe retailer, Jones Bootmaker
• Staffline Group Plc in the acquisition of several regional recruitment agencies
• management in the Sovereign Capital backed MBO of Eden Supported Housing, an independent supported living provider based in the North Midlands.

Nigel Blackwell, head of the corporate team at Browne Jacobson, commented: "This has been a very busy year for the team and this award is the icing on the cake. This recognition by the regions corporate finance community and our peers makes it extra special for us. It is testament to the hard work and talent of the whole team and the strength and eminence of our corporate practice."