International firm Herbert Smith Freehills has announced its largest-ever cohort of new partners in its history, with 34 worldwide and 12 in the UK.

Fourteen of the firm’s new partners, whose promotions take effect from May, are women and chief executive Justin D’Agostino hailed the ‘diverse, outstanding group of bright, talented lawyers and future leaders of our firm’.

‘This is the largest round of partner promotions in the firm’s history, which reflects our strong commitment to investing in our very talented people in every region of our network,’ he added.

Herbert Smith Freehills

Herbert Smith Freehills has announced its largest-ever cohort of new partners

Source: Darren Filkins

Clifford Chance has also announced a bumper promotion round, making 37 lawyers up to partner – its largest group since 2007 – and 17 in its London offices from next month.

Fifteen of the magic circle firm’s new partners are women, which the firm said is more than in any previous promotion round. Clifford Chance also said five of the 21 new partners in the UK and the US who have disclosed their ethnicity identified as non-white, exceeding the firm’s target of 15% of new partners by 2025 for the second year running.

Global senior partner Jeroen Ouwehand said: ‘As well as being the largest new round of partners since 2007, this is our most diverse ever. Together, they embody our uncompromising pursuit of excellence, and our ambitious goals to build a law firm where everyone can see they have a fair chance to reach the top of the profession.’