Turnover (£m): 10.1
RPL (£k): 281

Goodman Derrick’s total revenue rose ­significantly last year thanks to strong ­performances from its corporate and real ­estate engine rooms, each generating 28 per cent of revenue in 2010-11. Average profit for the firm’s 13 full equity partners also grew, from £280,000 to £305,000.

Goodman Derrick’s highest-profile practice area is media, where highlights included a brace of acquisitions for London Stock ­Exchange-listed marketing services group Chime Communications.

The firm is also recognised for its lengthy track record advising television-related clients. Goodman Derrick’s private client practice, which includes the estates of Lucian Freud and Sir John Gielgud, also performed well last year.

The firm has also made growth a strategic priority, underlined by the arrival of former Bird & Bird international construction and ­engineering practice group co-head John Wright. The firm is now targeting further ­laterals plus a corporate bolt-on in London.