"In 2022, our site is highlighting 54 legal professionals on a global scale in their partner category"
Global law firm XYZ has announced the promotion of 54 lawyers to partner and director positions, effective January 1, 2022, in various locations worldwide. The promotions cover 11 global practice areas, with the majority being in litigation and disputes, corporate, M&A and securities, and banking and finance.
Notable Promotions
In Hong Kong, Rachel Chan, Daniel Ng, and Rafe Schaefer have been promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area. Fiona Henderson has been promoted to the banking and finance practice area in New York, while Jared Kaplan and Alberta Yan have been promoted to the corporate, M&A and securities practice area. Rebecca Winthrop has been promoted to the bankruptcy, financial restructuring and insolvency practice area in Los Angeles.
In Washington, D.C., Rebecca Abou-Chedid has been promoted to the projects practice area, and in London, Louisa Roe has been promoted to the real estate practice area. Justin Coddington has been promoted to the tax practice area in Houston, and Joseph Drapalski and James Lockwood have been promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area in Los Angeles and London, respectively.
In Munich, Annabelle Wheeler and Claudia Posluschny have been promoted to the litigation and disputes and employment and labor practice areas, respectively. Bernd Dreier has been promoted to the corporate, M&A and securities practice area. In Australia, promotions were given to Kate Green, Harriet Oldmeadow, and Nick Sinclair. Alex Zekkos has been promoted to the banking and finance practice area in London, and Eric Green has been promoted to the intellectual property practice area in Austin.
Gender Diversity Trends
The trend in gender diversity for partner promotions at global law firms over the last three years indicates some progress but also ongoing challenges. While exact percentage figures for women promoted globally are not provided, key insights highlight the following:
- Progress in inclusivity: There is a growing recognition of the need to support women in the legal profession beyond the associate level, including mentorship and promotion into leadership roles. Flexible work arrangements and inclusive cultures that respect work-life balance are increasingly emphasized as critical for retention and promotion of women partners.
- Cultural barriers remain: Some women partners historically resisted sponsoring other women for promotions due to lack of flexibility and support in their own experiences, indicating persistent structural mindsets. Changing this cycle is seen as essential to improve the pipeline.
Twenty-three of the 54 promoted lawyers are women, representing 43% of the total. However, specific promotion percentage data for the past three years was not included in the provided search results.
Gerry Pecht, Global Chief Executive of XYZ, congratulated the promoted lawyers for their industry knowledge, business acumen, and innovative solutions. He emphasized the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion, stating, "We are proud to see such a diverse group of talented individuals taking on these new roles. Their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional service to our clients."
[1] The Worlds Best Magazine, "The Rise of Women in Law: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward," link
In the newly announced partner and director promotions at global law firm XYZ, Fiona Henderson has been promoted to the banking and finance practice area, demonstrating her expertise in finance-related business matters. Meanwhile, Alex Zekkos has been promoted to the banking and finance practice area in London, showcasing the firm's emphasis on strengthening its financial capabilities across different locations.
