It's that time of the year again. ALB is set to unveil its annual list of the hottest lawyers of 2009 - the lawyers that have excelled, broken new ground and kept us intrigued over the last 12 months.  This year the list is dominated by mid-size and international firms, an indication that many of the industry's movers and shakers in 2009 have not been in the top tier. This was, after all, the year when international firms such as Dorsey & Whitney and Holman Fenwick announced ambitious Australian expansion plans and lawyers from Gilbert + Tobin and Arnold Bloch Leibler stole the headlines with some landmark deals. The Hot 40 also gives particular recognition to the steady, upward march of the Australian and NZ mid-tier firms.
 
But some faces will not be unfamiliar. Several lawyers are returning to the list for the second or third time after a stellar 2009. Freehills' Philippa Stone and AAR's Ewen Crouch are among the list of dealmakers that have made the 40 courtesy of a distinguished performance this year. You'll need to pick up your copy of issue 7.11 of ALB magazine to find out who else has made the list. It could be someone from your firm or organisation.