Who were the stars of 2013?

Voting has now begun for the 2013 Private Equity International Awards, which – among other questions – asks the industry which law firms and placement agents have had the most impressive body of work over the last 12 months.

In Europe, London-based law firms SJ Berwin and Clifford Chance will be fighting to preserve their respective hot streaks as best law firms for fund formation and deal advisory work respectively. While across the Atlantic, Debevoise & Plimpton will try to retain its crown as North America’s best law firm for fund formation.

Also in North America, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett will hope to reclaim its bragging rights as the region’s preferred law firm for deal work after being deposed last year by Kirkland & Ellis – who accomplished this feat after advising on a series of $1 billion-plus deals in 2012.

One of the most competitive categories is shaping up to be Asia law firm of the year for fund formation. O’Melveny & Myers took the award for the third year running in the 2012 awards, but a number of its rivals, including Ropes & Gray, Weil, Gotshal & Manges and Debevoise are all fierce contenders after their substantial Asia fundraising work in 2013.

Elsewhere in Asia, Clifford Chance will fight to hold onto its title as best firm for deal work after dethroning Debevoise last year. One thing that should help its chances is its work on the $1.52 billion debt financing of Focus Media (among others).

There are nearly 70 categories in all across three regions: the Americas, EMEA and Asia-Pacific. You'll have the chance to vote on best placement agent of the year, best law firm for fund formation and best law firm for transactions for each specific region.

The resulting awards are the industry’s most comprehensive, and the only ones voted on entirely by the industry for the industry. That is, they are totally independent; there is no sponsorship, no panel of judges. They are your awards.

For more information and to vote now, click HERE.

PS. PE Manager is on a break until January 2. But be sure to check out the site for a look back at some of our favorite guest articles and interviews in 2013. Happy holidays from everyone here at PE Manager.