International firm Baker McKenzie has announced its biggest partner promotion round in four years, with 85 partners elected globally, including eight in London.

Of the new partners, 35 are women (41%) in line with the firm’s '40:40:20' gender target announced last year, which aims for a work force of 40% men and 40% women by July 2025. The remaining 20% will be 'flexible', consisting of men, women and non-binary people.

Despite the pandemic, the firm has promoted four more partners than last year and 18 more than in 2018. Some 68 lateral hires have also taken place over the last financial year.

Global chair Milton Cheng said the hires are ‘a clear sign of the importance we place in the long-term growth strategy of the firm.’

Alex Chadwick, London managing partner, added: ‘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.’

Earlier this month, Baker McKenzie rolled out optional flexible working measures for its London lawyers, encouraging staff to reduce their working weeks and to take sabbaticals.