After making its first ever lateral hire in London last month, Slaughter and May has strengthened its London bench with five new partners, including three women. Macfarlanes also made up three partners in the City earlier this week.
In its partnership round announced by the Magic Circle firm today (30 March), Slaughters added seven across London, Brussels and Hong Kong. The firm made up three fewer than last year, but more than the four it promoted in 2015.
The new Slaughters partners join across five practice areas. The cohort includes Duncan Blaikie as a new IP partner, Christian Boney and Filippo de Falco in corporate, Susan Hughes in financing, Phil Linnard in pensions and employment. Outside of London Kerry O’Connell and Natalie Yeung were made up in competition, in Brussels and Hong Kong respectively.
Slaughters senior partner Steve Cooke (pictured) said: ‘The fact that we have promoted lawyers from a broad spread of practice areas reflects the underlying strength of our firm.’
Meanwhile, Macfarlanes announced Richard Burrows (mergers & acquisitions), Jeremy Moncrieff (tax) and Sarah Ward (banking & finance) are to become partners on 1 May. This year Macfarlanes promoted half of last year’s promotions round, when it made up six as new partners.
Charles Martin, Macfarlanes senior partner said: ‘In a market that is tough and likely to get tougher the commitment of highly talented young partners to driving forward their respective practice areas is of critical importance. We are confident that these three lawyers will each play an important part in the future success of the firm.’
georgiana.tudor@legalease.co.uk
Slaughter and May promotions in full:
Duncan Blaikie, IP/IT
Christian Boney, corporate
Filippo de Falco, corporate
Susan Hughes, financing
Phil Linnard, pensions and employment
Kerry O’Connell, competition, Brussels
Natalie Yeung, competition, Hong Kong
Macfarlanes promotions in full:
Richard Burrows, M&A
Jeremy Moncrieff, tax,
Sarah Ward, banking & finance