Unveiling 54 globally recognized lawyers in the 2022 partner class through our site's platform
A leading global law firm has announced the promotion of 54 lawyers to partner and director positions on January 1, 2022. The promotions span 11 practice areas, with notable promotions in tax, litigation and disputes, employment and labor, banking and finance, intellectual property, and corporate, M&A, and securities.
In the United States, Justin Coddington and Dimitri Millas were promoted in tax and banking and finance respectively, based in Houston. Darren Smith was promoted in intellectual property, also based in Houston. In Dallas, Nathan Baum was promoted in litigation and disputes. In Los Angeles, Rebecca Winthrop was promoted in bankruptcy, financial restructuring, and insolvency. In Austin, Eric Green was promoted in intellectual property. In New York, Jared Kaplan, Alberta Yan, and Blake Redwine were promoted in corporate, M&A, and securities.
Across the Atlantic, Paul Cartwright was promoted in litigation and disputes, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Claudia Posluschny was promoted in the employment and labor practice area, based in Munich. Zayba Drabu was promoted in litigation and disputes, based in London, United Kingdom. James Lockwood was also promoted in litigation and disputes, based in London. Alex Zekkos was promoted in banking and finance, based in London.
In the United Kingdom, Marianne McMahon was promoted as general counsel, and Helen Fairhead was promoted in antitrust and competition, both based in London. Laura Kiwelu was promoted in projects, and Matthew Buckle was promoted in litigation and disputes, both based in London. Fiona Henderson was promoted in banking and finance, based in New York.
The promotions also included several lawyers with split locations. Annabelle Wheeler was promoted in litigation and disputes, with a split location between Munich and London. Kate Green and Harriet Oldmeadow were promoted in litigation and disputes, based in Sydney, Australia. Rachel Chan was promoted in the corporate, M&A, and securities practice area, based in Hong Kong.
The promotions included 18 lawyers in litigation and disputes, 10 in corporate, M&A, and securities, 9 in banking and finance, and 23 women, representing 43% of the total promotions.
Gerry Pecht, Global Chief Executive of the law firm, praised the promoted lawyers for their industry knowledge, business acumen, and innovative solutions.
Gender Diversity in Partner Promotions
While detailed 2022-specific global partnership promotion statistics are not present in the search results, the broader context is that gender diversity at the partner level in global law firms remains a significant challenge. Despite women comprising the majority of the legal workforce at more junior levels, they remain underrepresented in senior legal roles, including partnerships, especially at global and private practice levels.
Many law firms and legal organizations have committed to setting explicit gender diversity targets and transparency around promotions and leadership roles in recent years. Examples of commitments from firms like DWF include goals such as achieving 40% women in senior management roles globally by 2025. Industry commentators emphasize the necessity of transparency in promotion processes, flexible work policies, active mentoring, and authentic leadership support to advance women into partnership.
Recognition of women leaders breaking barriers continues with awards and initiatives focusing on women in law, highlighting ongoing progress but also implying that challenges in equitable partner promotions persist. Regional initiatives and advocacy groups are expanding, including for broader diversity including LGBTQ+ and ethnic minority groups, reflecting intersectional diversity efforts that intersect with gender diversity in legal leadership.
References
- The American Lawyer
- DWF
- The Guardian
- Law Society Gazette
- The Lawyer
In the context of business and finance, the law firm's promotions in 2022 led to the advancement of Dimitri Millas in banking and finance, based in Houston, United States. Progress in diversity and inclusion in partner promotions remains a challenge, as women continue to be underrepresented in senior legal roles, including partnerships, especially at global and private practice levels, as noted in sources such as The American Lawyer, The Guardian, Law Society Gazette, and The Lawyer.
