Latham & Watkins has elevated 24 associates to partnership in its latest promotions round, alongside 27 associates who have been made of counsel.

The January 2025 intake is a drop from last year’s associate promotion round when 34 were elevated to partner, as well as the 2023 intake when 44 made the grade, a joint record with the previous year.

However, half of this year’s cohort were women compared to 38% in last year’s round.

The bulk of this year’s partner promotions were in the US, with an additional seven promoted across Europe and the Middle East. The firm’s New York office saw the most promotions with six, including project development and finance practice lawyer Annelise Karreman and securities litigation and professional liability lawyer Megan Behrman. That was followed by five in Washington DC, four in London and three in Houston.

There were also promotions in Tel Aviv (capital markets lawyer Gilad Zohari), Riyadh (Najla Al-Gadi, also capital markets) and Munich (Kristina Hufnagel in the executive compensation, employment and benefits practice). Chicago, Orange County and San Diego also saw one apiece.

Rich Trobman, chair and managing partner of Latham & Watkins, said: “We celebrate the achievements of our newest partners and counsel and are excited to see their continued success and significant contributions to our global platform and clients. They embody our dedication to client service, culture of innovation and teamwork, and commitment to excellence. I am incredibly proud of each of them, as they play a crucial role in strengthening our firm and serving our clients.”

The promotions were spread across 17 practice areas, with the firm’s M&A and private equity practice seeing the most with four, including Jon Fox in London, Thomas Engelhardt in New York, Ashley Nguyen in Houston and Brian Umanoff in Orange County. The antitrust and competition, capital markets, IP litigation and white collar and defence practices all saw two promotions each.

Nathan Ajiashvili, chair of the firm’s associates committee, said: “This is truly one of my favourite times of the year. We all look forward to this milestone when we recognise our new partners and counsel and acknowledge their accomplishments. Their promotions reflect their hard work, talent, dedication and the qualities that exemplify our values as a firm. Their diverse expertise and leadership enhance our ability to serve our clients now and in the future.”

Meantime, the 27 associates promoted to counsel include one in Asia, nine in Europe and the Middle East and the rest in the US spread across its Washington DC, New York, Los Angeles, Bay Area, Century City, San Diego, Boston and Houston offices.

The promotions follow the election of 19 counsel to the partnership in February, down from 23 the previous year.

Click here to see the full list of promotions.