Macfarlanes’ partner appointments have increased in three years, from four in 2003-04 and four in 2004-05 to six in 2005-06. 2005-06 represented a return to internal promotions for the firm; the previous year it had made two rare laterals out of a total of four. This foray into lateral hiring – two debt finance partners – had a specific objective: to kickstart the acquisition finance practice.

Out of the 12 internal promotions over three years, private client accounts for four – by far the biggest share. Corporate accounts for two. There were two female internal promotions and one female lateral.