Bermuda-based offshore law firm Appleby has been named the winner of the inaugural Practical Law Company (PLC) Which Lawyer? Offshore Law Firm Super League 2009.

The award recognises the firm's ability to provide solutions for international companies which conduct business in jurisdictions that have different regulatory, legal and commercial frameworks.

The winning citation read: "Appleby has transformed itself into one of the largest offshore players through a series of mergers and new office openings over the last few years. Its most recent merger, with leading Manx firm Dickinson Cruickshank, has been a significant factor in it securing first place in the super league."

The PLC Which Lawyer? Offshore Super League is comprised of nine law firms which qualified for inclusion based on their existing endorsements by PLC in two or more offshore jurisdictions, plus extensive research of its general counsel network, client feedback and lawyer peer reviews.

Appleby led the field with 42 individual lawyer recommendations and jurisdictional recommendations in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Isle of Man and Jersey - more than any other firm in both categories. Following the Isle of Man merger, Appleby has 74 partners globally - the largest number of any offshore firm. This year, the company also opened offices in the Seychelles and added a representative office in Bahrain to its global network.

Shaun Morris, Appleby's managing partner of the Bermuda office, said: "We are delighted to have achieved this accolade and we extend a special congratulations to those lawyers who were recognised locally.

"Our goal is to become the leading provider of legal, fiduciary and administration services across the offshore world, and it is particularly significant and gratifying that the practitioners and clients with whom PLC Which Lawyer's has been in contact have recognised and acknowledged our leadership position in the multi-jurisdictional markets in which we conduct business."

Those leading lawyers listed in the publication for Bermuda included: Peter Bubenzer - Highly Recommended (Corporate/M&A), Judith Collis - Recommended (Corporate/M&A), Tim Counsell - Recommended (Banking and Finance), Alex Erskine - Recommended (Investment Funds), Jennifer Fraser - Leading (Restructuring and Insolvency), Randall Krebs - Recommended (Private Client), Vanessa Lovell Schrum - Recommended (Private Client), Michael McAuley - Recommended (Private Client), John Riihiluoma - Leading (Restructuring and Insolvency), Scott Swainson - Leading (Real Estate).