Linklaters has met its global gender diversity target for partner promotions –  just.

In this year’s appointment round, the magic circle firm announced today, some 41 new partners have been elected, of whom 17 (41%) are women. The target is 40%.

The firm said it has also met a 15% target for under-represented minority ethnic partners in new partner elections annually (UK and US).

Sixteen of today’s new partner appointments are in London, 14 elsewhere in Europe, seven in Asia, three in the Americas and one in the Middle East. Divisionally, Corporate accounts for 20, Finance 17 and Dispute Resolution four.

Some 53 Linklaters lawyers, drawn from 14 practice areas and 16 offices, have been promoted to counsel. Two promotions to partner in Zhao Sheng Law Firm, Linklaters’ joint operation firm in China, were also announced.

The new appointments take effect on 1 May.