Jones Day has shrugged off the impact of Covid-19 in this year’s partner promotions round making up 50 lawyers across its network, up from 34 last year.

There are six promotions in the Asia Pacific region and six in Europe, with the remainder across its substantial national network of US offices. 

The promotions were spread relatively widely across the network – partners were made up in 22 of the firm’s 41 bases with Washington DC accounting for the largest tally (six), followed by New York and the top 10 US firm’s Cleveland headquarters, which will both usher in five new partners on 1 January. 

There is also a near even gender split – 24 of the new partners are women representing 48% of the cohort. Last year the split was exactly 50-50.

Notable among the appointments is that of firmwide head of pro bono Laura Tuell, who is based in Washington DC. The former trial lawyer oversees the firm’s global pro bono programme as well as having an active practice, particularly representing women asylum seekers seeking protection against gender persecution.

Research published earlier this year found that more than 55 law firms globally employed 66 dedicated pro bono partners in 2019, compared with just six in 1999.

Among the more unusual locations welcoming new partners is the firm’s 32-strong Taipei office, where Jean Kuo is being made up. She has a broad practice that includes M&A, IP and antitrust with a focus on advising Japanese clients on their investments.

There are four promotions in Australia, up from two last year. In Sydney competition specialist Prudence Smith and M&A adviser Hemang Shah have been recognised while disputes specialists Pip Goldman and Daniel Moloney are joining the partnership from their bases in Brisbane and Melbourne respectively.

The Asia Pacific tally is completed by Shanghai-based IP litigator Guoping Da, who represents multinational companies in IP enforcement and infringement actions in the United States and China. She studied at Peking University before gaining a PHD in biochemistry in the US and then qualifying as a lawyer.

Meanwhile, in Europe, there were two promotions apiece in London (John Crowley, real estate, Laura Pembridge, private equity), Paris (Edouard Fortunet, private equity, Nicolas André, tax) and Brussels (Eva Monard, regulation, Jonas Van den Bossche, M&A).

In terms of practice areas the business and tort litigation team enjoyed the most promotions (nine) followed by M&A (seven) and IP (five).

In March, Jones Day was named the strongest law firm brand in the US for a fourth year in the Acritas 2020 US Law Firm Brand Index. However, last month it was forced to clarify its role as an adviser to Donald Trump by rebutting media claims it was involved in any litigation involving alleged voter fraud.

Earlier this week a group of six former associates withdrew a class and discrimination claim against the firm although they are still pursuing individual claims which the firm has dubbed 'equally meritless', according to Reuters Legal.

Other top US firms already to have announced their promotions include Latham & Watkins, which unveiled 33 new partners, the same as last year, and Kirkland & Ellis, which made up a record 145 partners.

The full list of new Jones Day partners can be found here.