Osborne Clarke (OC) has made up five new partners in its 2014 promotion round across the UK, constituting the firm’s highest-ever UK figures in three years, following Stephenson Harwood’s announcement last week that it has made up just two City associates to partner this year.
OC’s UK promotion figures, which follow the top 35 firm’s announcement in January that it has made up four partners in its German office, represent an increase of 67% on last year, when the firm made up three in the UK across an eight-strong promotions round.
Managing partner Simon Beswick, said: ‘Our clients demand the very best advice and service, so the process of becoming a partner at OC is deliberately challenging. Our five new partners have all come through the process with flying colours and I’m confident that they will make a huge contribution to our ongoing success.’
Elsewhere at Stephenson Harwood, the two partner promotions: Cristan Evans in the firm’s marine and international trade group and Simon Brading in its real estate group, constitute a drop of 50% on last year, when four partners were promoted in the London office.
Chief executive Sharon White said: ‘Both Cristan and Simon are highly regarded by clients and colleagues alike and will play important roles in the future development of their respective practice areas. I congratulate them on their promotions to partnership and look forward to their support in helping Stephenson Harwood continue to grow and develop.’
Both promotion rounds follow DLA Piper which on Thursday (1 May) announced it had made up 45 to partnership, of which the lion’s share were allocated within the US, and constituted a 33% increase on last year.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
The full list of partner promotions:
Osborne Clarke
David Blair, financial services regulation
Mark Wesker, corporate (equity capital markets)
Neil Bromwich, planning (renewable energy and infrastructure sectors)
Tom Bussy, banking (acquisition and media finance)
Kate Topp, real estate (residential development)
Stephenson Harwood
Cristan Evans, marine and international trade
Simon Brading, real estate
