Slaughter and May has made up 10 associates in London in its latest promotions round, nine of whom are men.
Of the 10 promoted, corporate lawyer Victoria MacDuff is the sole new female partner. The promotions spanned corporate, dispute resolution, financing, commercial real estate, competition and financial regulation.
The number of promotions surpasses last year’s, when the firm promoted four to partnership, and in 2013 the firm promoted seven to partnership in London. Prior to that, in both 2012 and 2013 the firm made up two associates to partner.
The promotions are effective on 1 May 2016, boosting the firm’s total headcount to 115 partners (91 male, 24 female), 100 of which will be based in London and 15 will be based in the firm’s overseas offices.
The promotions in full:
Nick Bonsall, financial regulation
Murray Cox, corporate
Richard Jeens, dispute resolution
Victoria MacDuff, corporate
Paul Mudie, corporate
Oliver Storey, financing
Damian Taylor, dispute resolution
Richard Todd, commercial real estate
William Turtle, competition
Oliver Wicker, financing
Dearie me. The good old chaps at S&M continue to laugh derisively at women with children who have the temerity to request career progression. As Chris Saul said recently: “The policy of Slaughters is up or out. The partnership track is about eight years after qualification and at the end you are seen by a lot of partners so they can express a view. If, sadly, it is a no, then the best thing is that people are told it’s best to find another role as there’s a natural progression.” Yes, there is Chris – and it appears your view of “natural progression” is away from S&M if you are a senior woman.