Baker McKenzie announces large partner promotion round

Baker McKenzie has announced its biggest partner promotion round in four years, with 85 partners selected globally, according to the Law Gazette. Of the new partners, eight are in London and 35 are women (41%).

In 2019 the international firm announced a ‘40:40:20’ gender target, which stated that by July 2025 it hopes to have a workforce of 40% men, 40% women and 20% ‘flexible’ (ie, men, women and non-binary).

While the pandemic has forced a delay to partner promotions for several firms, at Baker McKenzie they have increased with the firm promoting four more partners this year than it did in 2019 and 18 more than 2018’s figure.

Meanwhile, the last financial year also saw around 68 lateral hires. Discussing the hires, Baker McKenzie’s Global Chair Milton Cheng said they are “a clear sign of the importance we place in the long-term growth strategy of the firm.”

The firm’s London Managing Partner Alex Chadwick said: “I am incredibly proud to welcome such an outstanding and accomplished group to our partnership in London. Each and every one of our new partners has proved to be extremely talented, skilled and dedicated to our clients. It’s great to be able to recognize these individuals for the significant contributions they have made and will continue to make to the firm.”

Baker McKenzie offered optional flexible working measures for its London lawyers earlier in June, in a bid to encourage its staff to reduce their working weeks and take sabbaticals.