Baker McKenzie has promoted 81 lawyers to partners, continuing a trend which saw several law firms increase their intake this year.
The number of promotions announced today (27 June) and effective from 1 July is 19% up on last year’s scaled back round, which saw 68 minted, and is also up by one on 2017.
Women make up almost 40% of this year’s promotions. With more than 400 women among its 1,550-strong partnership, the firm reiterated last year’s claim that it had the largest female partnership of any law firm.
Promotions in the firm’s City office are also up by one on last year to seven, making London the office with the largest intake this year. The firm added two lawyers to its London private equity practice and two to its IP/tech group, while banking, antitrust and disputes got one new partner each.
Globally, the M&A practice saw the largest intake with 15 lawyers promoted, reflecting the firm’s push to strengthen its transactional capabilities. In line with its traditional strength, tax was the second largest group with 13 promoted, while disputes came third at 11.
Bakers also announced today it has promoted 48 salary partners to its equity ranks.
The promotions come off the back of a year which saw Bakers complete 34 laterals, meaning in total the firm added 115 partners to its ranks.
London managing partner Alex Chadwick said: ‘Alongside our recent hires, this significant number of promotions in London reflects our growth plans. At least as importantly, I am thrilled to see more than half are female, which is testament to our ongoing commitment to turn gender aspirations into reality.’
Several firms have increased their partner promotion rounds this year, including all Magic Circle firms bar Slaughter and May, as well as CMS and Eversheds Sutherland.
Bakers’ London partner promotions:
Helen Brown (IP/tech)
David Hart (Private equity)
Julia Hemmings (IP/tech)
Phelim O’Doherty (Private equity)
Sarah Porter (Banking and finance)
James Robinson (Antitrust and competition)
Gemma Willingham (Dispute resolution)
