Chicago-based Mesirow Financial said fiscal 2010 was its best year ever, despite lingering sluggishness in the economy.

Revenues for its fiscal year ended Mar. 31 rose 13 percent to $526 million, due to “spectacular” performances from the privately-held and employee-owned firm’s institutional sales and trading and advanced strategies businesses, as well as “strong” contributions from private equity, consulting and insurance services.

Stockholders’ equity, held by about 300 of its employees, increased nearly 20 percent to $299 million.

James Tyree, chairman and chief executive,noted that 17 percent of its revenues and about 50 percent of its assets under management came from overseas clients, signaling the increasingly global nature of its business.

The firm has nearly 1,200 professionals in 30 offices in the U.S. and London. Earlier this year, it moved to its new corporate headquarters, combining 850 Chicago employees previously located in two buildings.

Assets under management grew 40 percent to $40.3 billion as of Mar. 31.  Assets as of June 30 increased to $43.7 billion.

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