K&L Gates promotes 28 to partner

K&L Gates has made up 28 lawyers to its partnership in the firm’s latest round of promotions.

The US firm has announced promotions in 13 of its 21 US offices, with Dallas receiving the most at five. Outside the US, K&L Gates promoted one disputes lawyer, Matthew Smith in London and corporate lawyer Choo Lye Tan in Hong Kong.

K&L Gates chairman, Peter Kalis, said: “We are delighted to welcome them to the partnership.”

In 2008 K&L Gates added 25 to the partnership with 11 US offices receiving promotions. In London the firm promoted four.

A number of US firms have reduced the number of promotions in light of the economic downturn. Mayer Brown, Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and Weil Gotshal & Manges all promoted fewer to the partnership this year.

In contrast, Dewey & LeBoeuf and Latham & Watkins added 20 and 30 respectively compared to 18 and 26 the previous year.

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