Pinsent Masons has promoted 17 individuals to partner across the UK, with four making the step up in Leeds.
In Leeds, Dawn Allen (financial services), Nick McDonald and Michael Smith (real estate), and Hayley Boxall from the law firm’s forensic accounting services arm have all been promoted to partner.
The promotion of Boxall, coupled with director of client solutions, David Halliwell, also being promoted to partner, sees Pinsent Masons strengthen its capabilities as a professional services business with law at its core.
Pinsent Masons was one of the first law firms to establish an in-house forensic accounting team, offering clients a multi-disciplinary approach to disputes, consultancy services and investigations.
As the partner leading client solutions, Halliwell works with a range of professionals across Pinsent Masons to help clients transform the way they deliver legal services to their businesses, both through the firm’s existing portfolio of process, resourcing and technology solutions, and through collaboration to create new ones.
The remaining new partners work across the firm’s core sectors of energy, financial services, infrastructure, real estate, and advanced manufacturing and technology.
The promotions, which take effect on 1 May, bring the total number of partners at Pinsent Masons to 474, with female representation across the partnership reaching approximately 28%.
This year, almost half of those promoted are women, signalling the firm’s progress towards a position where promotions demographics reflect the pool from which candidates are drawn.
Last year, Pinsent Masons launched a ‘spark board’ to bring new perspectives to strategic decision-making at the law firm, with then Leeds-based responsible business executive Sania Khan appointed as a member. The spark board was formed to share its views on advisory projects at the law firm, in a bid to give its leadership an outside perspective.
Richard Foley, senior partner at Pinsent Masons, said: “We are incredibly proud of the talent, skill and dedication of all of our people. As we all take stock and adjust to the challenges we face prompted by Covid-19, it’s heartening to have some positive news that helps us look to the future.”
“Those promoted strengthen our position as a leading sector-focused, multinational legal services provider and mark an important step in our transition to become a professional services business with law at its core.”
He continued: “The firm’s commitment to provide its clients with innovative, solutions-based legal services is the touchstone of our business. Now, more than ever, developing talent that supports this is critical as our clients grapple with the challenges posed by coronavirus.”
