Sydney, 27 May 2008 – Baker & McKenzie was awarded "LitSupport CSR Firm of the Year" at the Mettle ALB Australasian Law Awards held in Sydney on Thursday 22 May 2008. Baker & McKenzie Partner and Head of the Firm's Global Climate Change Practice, Martijn Wilder, accepted the award on behalf of the Firm.

Baker and McKenzie is the first law firm to receive this new award. The ALB's judging criteria "acknowledges and recognizes the efforts of firms who practice in this area and help their clients implement principles of social responsibility while meeting the demands of industry bodies, regulators, and community stakeholders."

Baker and McKenzie won the award in recognition of its lead as an early adapter in helping clients meet their CSR obligations, particularly with regards to climate change and the environment. The judges particularly noted the launch of the CDM Rulebook, a comprehensive online database for the rules surrounding the Clean Development Mechanism under the Kyoto Protocol (www.cdmrulebook.org).

Explaining the rationale for the award, Martijn Wilder said: "Climate change is a challenge which requires unique and unprecedented solutions. Many of our clients are market makers and market leaders developing businesses that also contribute to providing solutions to the challenges that climate change presents. Our climate and environmental markets practice works closely with our clients to achieve their CSR goals. With respect to CSR, we are trying to think ahead of the curve, generating ideas and building platforms which respond to our client's demands, as well as community expectations.

"These are times for law firms to be proactive, rather than reactive."