Baker McKenzie has elevated 59 lawyers to partner across its international network, with seven London lawyers making the cut.
The City partner count is the highest since 2021, when eight London lawyers were made up, while the overall figure of 59 is slightly down from last year’s total of 66.
Of the London promotions, two are in the firm’s employment and compensation practice, with the other shared between international commercial and trade; M&A; dispute resolution; capital markets; and banking and finance.
The seven promotions in London means the UK capital is joint top with Bangkok as the city with the most new partners. North America saw 15 promotions across eight offices, with those taking effect from 1 January this year, unlike the majority of Bakers’ promotions, which are effective from 1 July.
Bakers’ M&A practice saw the largest number of additions with 14 new partners around the world. Its employment and compensation practice and tax practice welcomed nine new partners apiece, while dispute resolution added seven new partners.
Taken in conjunction with the firm’s 48 lateral partner hires this year – including recent additions such as investment funds partner Nick Benson, who joined from Latham & Watkins, and restructuring partner Kevin Heverin from A&O Shearman – Bakers has added 107 partners globally since 1 July 2024.
Outgoing global chair Milton Cheng (pictured above) described the new partners as an ‘exceptionally talented group of lawyers’, adding, ‘their unwavering dedication to client service and excellence will be key in driving our firm’s success and we look forward to their many more contributions in the years to come.’
Cheng will be succeeded as global chair later this year by London-based international trade, compliance and investigations partner Sunny Mann, who is set to begin a four-year term in the role.
London partners in full
Sven Bates, international commercial and trade
Matthew Berridge, employment and compensation
Alexander Gee, M&A
Richard Molesworth, dispute resolution
Gillian Parnell, employment and compensation
Tom Quincey, capital markets
Sarah Williams, banking and finance
