‘This latest round has been disappointing’: A&O vows to address lack of diversity as Magic Circle announces new partners

Allen & Overy (A&O) promoted just two women to partnership last month, 8% of its total round, with the firm stating it is working towards three clear 2020 targets to address the diversity concerns.

The targets include having 20% female partners; at least 30% women in each promotion round; and 30% of women in its partnership in non-elected leadership roles.

A&O senior partner Wim Dejonghe said: ‘We are the first to admit this latest round has been disappointing compared to recent years in regard to promoting women, but as one of our top five strategic priorities that we set in 2016, we’re aiming to drive change around this.’

Elsewhere, 28% of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s latest promotions were women, followed by Linklaters at 19% and Clifford Chance (CC) at 17%. The highest proportion went to Slaughter and May, which promoted 43% women, albeit as part of a small, seven-strong round.

Linklaters led the Magic Circle with the most global promotions this year, with 26 joining its partnership ranks. This increased the number of new partners appointed for the fourth year in a row, as it made up the majority across its European network.

Freshfields promoted the least. However, its 18-strong promotions round was the firm’s largest since 2012.

CC and A&O both promoted 24 to their partnership. For CC, promotions were made across the US, Asia-Pacific and Europe. A&O saw an increased global round and marks its largest since 2008.

Slaughter and May strengthened its bench with seven new partners across London, Brussels and Hong Kong. The firm made up three fewer partners than last year, but more than the four it promoted in 2015.

A&O promoted the most partners in the City, with ten of the 24 joining its London office. Linklaters made up eight in the City, while CC and Freshfields both promoted six. This represents the strongest London round for Freshfields in recent years, while Slaughters also promoted five to its headquarters in London.

georgiana.tudor@legalease.co.uk