Legal Media Group's Expert Guides series has been an invaluable and indispensable source of guidance for in-house counsel in large corporations worldwide, since its inception in 1994. These practice area guides are designed primarily for individuals who require access to pre-eminent practitioners in specific areas of law for the purpose of instruction on an international basis.

To ensure the credibility of the publications, Legal Media Group commissions its research department to carry out an in-depth study of experts in the various fields of law being examined. The initial stage of the research process involves distributing more than 4000 questionnaires to senior practitioners or in-house counsel involved in the practice area in some 70 jurisdictions. The questionnaire asks leading figures to nominate those lawyers they consider being among the most capable for that work. The results are analyzed and screened for firm, network and alliance bias.

Researchers then meet with a number of acknowledged leading experts. Their considered views are solicited in a number of interviews held in major legal centres worldwide. This typically includes: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York, Washington DC, London, Paris, Brussels, Frankfurt, Zurich, Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney.

Using data collated from returned questionnaires and the interviews, we compile a preliminary list of those individuals who have been independently nominated by other senior practitioners or in-house counsel. As a final verification we discuss this list with a select group of advisers.

At the culmination of the process we are able to identify those specialists of considerable repute in that aspect of law, typically in some 30-40 jurisdictions. Once nominated, each individual is invited to enhance his or her complimentary listing by publishing a professional biography. Those submitting biographies are encouraged to provide information that might be of particular interest to clients. Where professional etiquette permits details of notable clients and cases is requested.

The Expert Guides series is not intended as a substitute for legal advice and users should seek advice from qualified lawyers. The guides owe their value to the hundreds of individuals who take the time to complete questionnaires and meet our researchers. Their help is much appreciated.