Promotions 2016: Holman Fenwick goes global in nine-strong partner round as RPC makes up City trio

With promotions season in full swing, Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) and City law firm RPC are the latest to announce their numbers, with HFW electing nine new partners to ‘drive international expansion’.

The 427-lawyer firm has boosted its partner ranks within its aviation, commodities, insurance, shipping, corporate, and employment practices across London, Geneva, Paris, Singapore and Shanghai. It is a notable increase on last year’s promotion round of four, while six of the 2016 promotions are in HFW’s foreign offices. The nine-strong round includes four female partners. HFW senior partner Richard Crump said: ‘We continue to invest in our strategy of international growth in our core sectors.’

Meanwhile, RPC’s new partners include corporate specialist Nigel Collins, who serves as head of the firm’s Japan desk; IP and technology lawyer Ciara Cullen, who focuses on brand protection, licensing and sponsorship arrangements, and construction and engineering lawyer Jonathan Hutt. The promotions take effect on 1 May.

RPC operates an all-equity model and has 75 partners and over 300 other lawyers. Other investments in 2016 by RPC – which last year promoted four new partners – include a tie-up with Singapore firm Premier Law as it targets claims against major banks.

On the latest promotions, RPC managing partner Jonathan Watmough (pictured) said: ‘Nigel, Ciara and Jonathan bring with them an enthusiasm and commitment to RPC’s future. With an all-equity model, we welcome them as genuine owners of the business.’

Other firms to announce promotions in recent weeks include Irwin Mitchell, which appointed six females partners in a 13-strong round; as well as Olswang, which made up two partners firm-wide including one in the City. Nabarro, meanwhile, promoted five partners.

Sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk

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