Globally, our site showcases 54 lawyers as partners in its 2022 class.
On January 1, 2022, a global law firm announced the promotion of 54 lawyers to partner and director positions across various locations worldwide. The promotions cover 11 practice areas, reflecting the firm's commitment to fostering growth and excellence in diverse legal fields.
In the United States, Alberta Yan, Anna Rudawski, Eric Green, and Daniel Ng were promoted in the corporate, M&A and securities, information governance, privacy and cybersecurity, and litigation and disputes practice areas, respectively. Justin Coddington, Blake Redwine, and Dimitri Millas were promoted in the tax, corporate, M&A and securities, and banking and finance practice areas, respectively, based in Houston. In New York, Laura Kiwelu, Jared Kaplan, and Fiona Henderson were promoted in the projects, corporate, M&A and securities, and banking and finance practice areas, respectively.
Across the Atlantic, Zayba Drabu, Marianne McMahon, Alex Zekkos, Louisa Roe, and Veit Sahlfeld were promoted in the litigation and disputes, general counsel, banking and finance, real estate, and banking and finance practice areas, respectively, based in London, United Kingdom. Nicolas Sirtoli and Annabelle Wheeler were promoted in the corporate, M&A and securities practice area, working in both Munich and London, respectively.
In South Africa, Paul Cartwright was promoted to director in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in Johannesburg. In Australia, Kate Green, Harriet Oldmeadow, and Nick Sinclair received promotions in the litigation and disputes, banking and finance practice areas, respectively. Rafe Schaefer and Geraldine Young were promoted in the litigation and disputes practice area, based in Houston and Houston, respectively.
Twenty-three of the promoted lawyers are women, representing 43% of the total. This is a significant step towards gender diversity in the legal profession, although women continue to face systemic barriers to achieving equal representation at the partner level.
Gerry Pecht, the Global Chief Executive of the law firm, praised the promoted lawyers for their industry knowledge, business acumen, and innovative solutions. He highlighted the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in the firm, stating, "We are proud to recognise the achievements of our talented lawyers and to support their continued growth and success."
The firm's commitment to gender diversity is evident in its initiatives such as the Women in Law Pledge (UK) and explicit diversity targets, aiming for at least 40% women in senior management globally by 2025. These measures reflect the growing accountability towards equity in leadership roles, including partnerships.
While 2022 saw progressive steps and public commitments to improve gender diversity in partner promotions across global law firms, women continue to face systemic barriers to achieving equal representation at the partner level. Firms like DWF have set explicit diversity targets and gender pay reporting policies, reflecting growing accountability measures towards equity in leadership roles.
Individual success stories, such as Michelle David becoming Chair of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa in May 2022, highlight trailblazing women breaking glass ceilings in partnership and leadership roles at global firms. However, these remain notable exceptions underscoring ongoing gender disparity at senior levels.
Overall, while the global law firm's promotions represent a step forward in fostering gender diversity, meaningful equity still needs to be realized across the industry.
In Houston, promotions were made in the tax, corporate, M&A and securities, and banking and finance practice areas, with Justin Coddington, Blake Redwine, and Dimitri Millas being promoted in these areas, respectively. The global law firm's commitment to fostering gender diversity is apparent, as they have set explicit diversity targets, aiming for at least 40% women in senior management globally by 2025.
