Showcases 54 lawyers on a global scale as part of its 2022 partner class on our website.
In a significant move towards gender diversity in leadership roles, a global law firm has announced the promotion of 54 lawyers to partner and director positions across various locations worldwide, effective January 1, 2022.
The promotions span 11 practice areas, with litigation and disputes leading the way with 18 lawyers, followed by corporate, M&A and securities (10), banking and finance (9), intellectual property (4), employment and labor (3), tax (3), real estate (2), projects (2), antitrust and competition (1), bankruptcy, financial restructuring and insolvency (1), and information governance, privacy and cybersecurity (1).
Notable among the promotions are women leaders such as Alison FitzGerald, Jenna Anne de Jong, and Geraldine Young, who have been promoted to litigation and disputes in Ottawa, Canada, and Houston, Texas, United States, respectively. Victoria Corder, Fiona Henderson, and Kate Green have been promoted to litigation and disputes in New York, United States, and Sydney, Australia, respectively.
Fiona Henderson's promotion to banking and finance in New York, United States, and Fiona McMahon's appointment as general counsel in London, United Kingdom, are significant steps forward for gender diversity in these traditionally male-dominated areas.
The firm has set a goal to have 40 percent women in its overall partnership, leadership roles, lawyer promotions, lateral additions, and senior business services hires. This ambitious target reflects the firm's commitment to gender balance and diversity.
The promotions are part of a broader effort by the legal industry to improve gender equity at partner level. Many global law firms have recognized the need to improve gender balance at senior levels, including in partnerships. For example, Fladgate is actively working to improve the gender balance of its partnership, using initiatives such as female talent development programs and pledges like the Women in the Law.
Firms are adopting strategies to tackle barriers to progression for women, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people to senior leadership and partnership roles. Grant Thornton emphasizes building a pipeline for senior leadership to reach gender equity by 2025 and engaging men to support change.
While not specific to 2022 partner promotions, awards and recognitions such as Corporate Counsel’s 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards highlight female leaders advancing equality and serving as role models in the legal industry.
Broader diversity and inclusion initiatives, including recruitment reforms and support networks, have been key to improving gender diversity in firms, indicating that partner promotions are part of a longer-term commitment to structural change.
The promotions also highlight the global nature of the firm, with lawyers being promoted in locations ranging from Ottawa, Canada, to Sydney, Australia, and from London, United Kingdom, to Hong Kong.
Gerry Pecht, the Global Chief Executive of the firm, praised the promoted lawyers for their industry knowledge, business acumen, and innovative solutions. He emphasized the importance of diversity in driving the firm's success and reaffirmed the firm's commitment to gender diversity and inclusion.
While comprehensive global statistics for partner promotions by gender in 2022 are not readily available, the promotions at this global law firm are a testament to ongoing efforts and progress in gender diversity initiatives and leadership roles within global law firms.
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