Leading UK law firms have been scrambling to improve their diversity records through the publication of targets, the launch of new initiatives and also by appointing more women to top positions.

The growing influence of the ESG movement and particularly its impact on clients – who are increasingly demanding more progress from their advisers – and recruitment seems to have jolted the profession out of its complacency. The fact that UK law firms are required by law to publish gender pay gap data has also been a major catalyst. 

Given that making partner is a key staging post in the development of a lawyer's career, marking their arrival into its senior ranks, the annual promotion round is an important measure of how law firms are performing. That's why many – although by no means all – law firms are now setting targets for promotions. 

Here we track how selected, major UK firms are performing against their stated gender diversity goals. 

Partner Promotions Selected UK Law Firms