Bird & Bird promotions: only two birds
Bird & Bird promotions: only two birds" /> Monday, April 14th, 2008, 15.35
Bird & Bird promotions: only two birds
Despite the headway that women have made in this year’s partnership promotions, Bird & Bird promoted just two women.
There is a bit of a film theme behind the promotions: new Düsseldorf life sciences partner Dr Ina vom Feld sounds like a Bond film femme fatale, while London's Elizabeth Lang, on holiday when The Lawyer called to interview, specialises in 'executive terminations'. (She’ll be back).
Jokes aside, the real news is that the two women promoted match the number promoted last year, despite the firm doubling the overall number of new partners this year from seven to 14. Two birds is as two birds does?
Corporate, IP/TMT and the firm’s overseas offices were the big winners this year in terms of practices. The promotions highlight Bird & Bird’s push into corporate work from its IP and TMT base, with three corporate lawyers getting the nod this year, compared to just one in 2007.
After opening a rash of offices across Europe over the last three years, Bird & Bird is now settling in and growing the international partnership organically. Which is not the best news if you happen to be an associate in the London office.
The UK saw just four, putting it on level terms with Germany, while France received two, and Italy, Sweden, The Netherlands and Spain were awarded one each. Eurovision Song Contest anyone?
Partnership Outlook
Continental Europe: Factor 30 and a trashy novel on the beach
London: British summer
Women: Swedish winter
Monday, April 14th, 2008, 15.25
Eversheds Paris: female partners multiplying
Eversheds female promotions may be down this year but it's nothing to do with the traditional 'oh, she'll just leave when she gets pregnant' reasoning, says new partner Valérie Blandeau.
And Blandeau should know. The Paris-based employment and disputes partner, already a mother of a three-year old, is due her second child in October.
"All this talk of diversity doesn't really have an impact on who becomes partner," she says.
"It's not dependent on whether you're a man or woman, it's on what that man or woman can bring to the firm."
The Paris litigation group has grown by 30 per cent two years in a row, she adds, and "this is something I will hope to be continuing."
And this time next year when Blandeau's home will be ringing with the patter of (more) tiny feet, other female associates may hope to follow in her footsteps.
- See below for our earlier post on Eversheds
Previous Partnership 2008 blogs.
Eversheds Paris: female partners multiplying - Monday, April 14th, 2008
Eversheds female promotions dwindle - Friday, April 11th, 2008
Slaughter and May: ladies, long hours and longevity - Thursday, April 10th
Russell Jones & Walker: More to the core - Tuesday, April 8th
A&O in the Middle East: one new partner, back-up on the way - Monday, April 7th
Clifford Chance: Popham puts his money where his mouth is - Monday, April 7th
Nabarro, Hunton & Hosseini - Friday, April 4th
Addleshaws: managing associates - Friday, April 4th
Nabarro promotions down (under) - Thursday, April 3rd
Hunton & Williams: The London eye - Thursday, April 3rd
The corporate partnership: Superwomen only? - Wednesday, April 2nd
Ashurst promotions: expectation management - Wednesday, April 2nd
Pinsents' Leeds' ladies take the lead - Monday, March 31st
Herbies...continued... - Thursday, March 27th
Herbies shakes things up - Thursday, March 27th
Macfarlanes predicts a good year - Thursday, March 26th
Burges Salmon talks the talk - Wednesday, March 26thTrowers promotions dwindle - Tuesday, March 25th
Wragges' ups the firm's real estate profile - Thursday, March 20th
Olswang's year of change - Thursday, March 20th
Camerons goes East - Wednesday, March 19th
Ince & Co: happy days for men in boats - Tuesday, March 18th
Freshfields refills partnership - Monday, March 17th
