Global law firm unveils 2022 partner class, honoring 54 distinguished lawyers on a worldwide scale
A prominent global law firm has announced the promotion of 54 lawyers to partner and one to director in South Africa, effective January 1, 2022. The promotions span 11 practice areas, reflecting the firm's diverse expertise and growth across various regions.
Diverse Promotions in Canada and Beyond
In Canada, Robin Acworth, Veronique Barry, Scott Boucher, Brian Chau, Matthew Choi, Jenna Anne de Jong, Russell Dufault, Alison FitzGerald, Caroline Jodoin, Jonathan Lafrance, Brigitte LeBlanc-Lapointe, Jennifer McPherson, Brian Milne, Fahad Siddiqui, Joshua Sprague, Nikita Stepin, Tim Stewart were promoted across various practice areas.
Regional Promotions in the United States
Blake Redwine was promoted in the corporate, M&A and securities practice area, based in Dallas. Rafe Schaefer, Dimitri Millas, Nathan Baum, Matthew Buckle, Rebecca Winthrop, and Geraldine Young were promoted in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in Houston and Los Angeles. Eric Green was promoted in the intellectual property practice area, based in Austin. Justin Coddington was promoted in the tax practice area, also based in Houston.
In the banking and finance practice area, Veit Sahlfeld was promoted in Hamburg, while Dimitri Millas and Alex Zekkos were promoted in Houston and London respectively.
International Promotions
Nicolas Sirtoli was promoted in the corporate, M&A and securities practice area, based in London. Rebecca Abou-Chedid was promoted in the projects practice area, based in Washington, D.C. James Lockwood was promoted in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in London.
In London, Louisa Roe was promoted in the real estate practice area, while Laura Kiwelu was promoted in the projects practice area. Helen Fairhead was promoted in the antitrust and competition practice area, and Annabelle Wheeler was promoted in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in Munich and London. Marianne McMahon was promoted as general counsel, also based in London.
Zayba Drabu was promoted in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in London. Victoria Corder was promoted in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in New York.
Focus on Gender Diversity
Twenty-three of the 54 promoted lawyers are women, representing 43 percent of the total. This marks the third consecutive year that women account for more than 40 percent of the partner promotions, aligning with the law firm's ongoing gender diversity target of 40 percent women in its partnership, leadership roles, lawyer promotions, lateral additions, and senior business services hires.
Congratulations from the Global Chief Executive
Gerry Pecht, the Global Chief Executive of the law firm, congratulated the promoted lawyers for their industry knowledge, business acumen, and innovative solutions. He emphasised the importance of these promotions in driving the firm's continued growth and success.
While specific 2022 promotion statistics by gender and practice area globally are not readily available, industry reports from organisations like the National Association for Law Placement (NALP), Major, Lindsey & Africa, The American Lawyer, or diversity and legal industry surveys and whitepapers would provide valuable insights. These reports typically compile annual reports detailing partner demographics and promotion rates.
Finance careers in Europe saw improvements with Veit Sahlfeld, Dimitri Millas, and Alex Zekkos being promoted in the banking and finance practice area, based in Hamburg, Houston, and London respectively. Business growth in the United States was reflected in several promotions, such as Blake Redwine in corporate, M&A and securities practice area, based in Dallas, and Justin Coddington in the tax practice area, also based in Houston. These promotions demonstrate the law firm's commitment to diverse careers and business expansion.
