Virtually no firm in the UK 100 has hired a corporate associate into partnership, so if you want partnership at a strong corporate firm you should not leave it too late. In 2005-06 alone, Ashurst promoted four corporate associates in London – more than at any of the magic circle firms.

It is a similar story at Herbert Smith. In 2005-06 it made up four in London, following on from four in 2003-04.
SJ Berwin has been slightly more parsimonious with its corporate appointments. In the past three years it has promoted two in London and taken on two externals. Travers Smith has prioritised corporate, with six internal promotions in three years.