Announcing the 2022 partner class globally, our site endorses 54 legal professionals.
In a significant move towards gender diversity and inclusion, global law firm XYZ has announced the promotion of 54 lawyers to partner and director positions effective January 1, 2022. The promotions span 11 practice areas, with 18 lawyers being promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area, 10 to corporate, M&A and securities, 9 to banking and finance, and so on.
The promotions in the United States include Joseph Drapalski, Geraldine Young, and Justin Coddington, who were promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area in Los Angeles, Houston, and Houston respectively. Rebecca Abou-Chedid was promoted to the projects practice area in Washington, DC, while Anna Rudawski was promoted to the information governance, privacy and cybersecurity practice area in New York. Victoria Corder, Dimitri Millas, and Nathan Baum were also promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area in New York, Houston, and Dallas respectively.
In the United Kingdom, James Lockwood, Nicolas Sirtoli, Louisa Roe, Matthew Buckle, and Zayba Drabu were promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area in London. Alex Zekkos was promoted to the banking and finance practice area in London, while Matthew Buckle was promoted to the antitrust and competition practice area.
In South Africa, lawyers receive promotions to director instead of partner. Paul Cartwright was promoted to the litigation and disputes practice area in Johannesburg.
The promotions also include several lawyers in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and Munich/London. Notable mentions include 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, Daniel Ng, Veit Sahlfeld, and Annabelle Wheeler.
The global law firm has set a gender diversity target of 50% women for their partnership, leadership roles, lawyer promotions, lateral additions, and senior business services hires by 2025. This is part of an ambitious effort to achieve gender balance across all levels and areas of the firm. The goal is to have equal representation and inclusivity reflected in senior roles and hiring decisions.
Gerry Pecht, Global Chief Executive of XYZ, praised the promoted lawyers for their industry knowledge, business acumen, and innovative solutions. The promotions also include the appointment of Marianne McMahon as the general counsel position in London, and Kimberly Cheeseman to the employment and labor practice area in Houston. Laura Kiwelu was promoted to the projects practice area in London.
The promotions reflect the firm's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, aligning with ongoing industry trends and pressures for measurable and durable diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes in law firms worldwide.
- The promotees in the banking and finance practice area include Alex Zekkos in London.
- Kimberly Cheeseman's new role is in the employment and labor practice area in Houston, demonstrating her career progression in business.
