Over half of new partners are women at Eversheds Sutherland, Taylor Wessing and Leigh Day

More than half of new partners at three top firms are women.

International firm Eversheds Sutherland has announced 23 partner promotions in its offices in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia with 52% of them female. The partner promotions, most of which take effect from 1 May, are across corporate finance, commercial advisory, employment, labour and pensions, litigation and dispute management and real estate. 

In December 2024, Eversheds Sutherland (US) announced 10 partner promotions which took effect on 1 January 2025. 

Lee Ranson, chief executive of Eversheds Sutherland (international), said: ‘Our 2025 newly promoted partners have exceptional legal talent and an unwavering commitment to developing deep and trusted relationships with our clients. I have no doubt that together these new partners have the drive, vision and energy to help shape a successful future for our global firm.’

International firm Taylor Wessing has also announced its partner promotions - 60% of whom are women. The 10 new partners are predominantly based in the UK, with the remainder in continental Europe.

Global co-chair and UK managing partner Shane Gleghorn said: ‘These promotions will significantly strengthen our key practice areas of corporate, disputes, regulatory, IP, patents, real estate, and banking & finance.’

The most recent cohort, who will be partners from 1 May 2025, are Richard Faichney (corporate technology and life sciences, UK), Johanna Götz (technology, media & telecoms, Germany), Lacy Gratton (corporate real estate & private capital, UK), Dannie Hanna (corporate, Ireland), Jo Joyce (technology, IP and information, Ireland), Andrew Payne (patents, UK) and Clare Reynolds (technology, IP and information, UK).

As well as the partner promotions, 10 others have been promoted to senior counsel.

London firm Leigh Day has announced the appointment of 12 new partners, including eight women. They are all based in London with the exception of head of communications Caroline Ivison (Manchester) and Matthew Westlake (Leeds).

The 12 are Andrew Lord, Ricardo Gama and Anna Crowther (human rights), Sophie Turner and Lucy Martin (international group litigation), Claire Spearpoint and David Preston (personal injury), Liana Wood and Mandy Bhattal (employment), Westlake (clinical negligence) and Samatha Bisson and Ivison (business services).

Chris Benson, Leigh Day, managing partner, said: ‘Our new partners have delivered excellent results for both clients and the firm, and are strong representatives of Leigh Day’s values. We look forward to seeing them continue to develop their areas of work and input into the growth of the firm.’