While the total number of partner promotions has remained steady year-on-year, the proportion of those promotions going to women has declined. With 28 of the country’s top 30 firms having already announced their 2016 partner appointments, female representation in the new partner pool has dropped from 38 per cent to 32 per cent. Moreover, it appears to be top-tier firms which are accounting for the bulk of the slide. Only 77 women have been promoted to partner in the top 10 firms this year, down 25 per cent from last year. Only eight firms in the top 30 managed to have women make up at least 40 per cent of promotions in their latest round: DAC Beachcroft, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons, Withers, Simmons & Simmons, Clyde & Co, Irwin Mitchell and Holman Fenwick Willan. 

Sources: Legal Cheek; Legal Week