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Global law firm Ashurst has appointed 20 new partners worldwide, three of whom come from the firm’s Australian offices. This year’s partner appointments mark a significant decrease in the number of Australians elevated to the firm’s partnership compared to its 2023 and 2024 April promotions rounds.
Ashurst has named 20 new partners globally, with those promotions taking effect next Thursday (1 May 2025).
In Australia, three lawyers are joining the partnership: Will Mason (corporate transactions, Sydney), Jacqueline Chan (restructuring and special situations, Melbourne), and Mike Webb (projects and energy transition, Sydney).
Globally, the new partners cover 10 practice groups and seven of the firm’s 31 offices. Forty per cent of those promoted are women, which the firm said maintains its five-year rolling average.
The number of new Australian partners named this April is far lower than the previous two years: in April 2024, 17 of the 30 new partners named in Ashurst’s promotions round were from Australia, and in April 2023, 13 of the 25 new partners were Australian.
The promotions also follow Ashurst’s “solid” revenue growth Down Under in FY2023-24. In recent months, Ashurst has also added five risk advisory partners to its ranks (two in February and three in October) and named a new BD chief in November.
When asked by Lawyers Weekly why it had promoted fewer Australians this April, the firm said: "We continue to invest in our offering in Australia, and the recent appointment of partners including Richard Johnson, Kirsten Scott, Felicity Healy, Alexandra Peace, Tureia Sample among others, reflect this investment. We also have a strong pipeline of talent across many practice areas in Australia and will continue to have further promotions in the years ahead."
The firm’s global chair, Karen Davies, who was re-elected to her position last month, congratulated the 20 new partners, saying they “represent the next generation of Ashurst leaders, and I’m delighted to welcome them to our global partnership”.
“This group embodies our collaborative culture and forward-thinking approach, and I am confident that each individual will play a pivotal role in the firm’s future direction and continued success,” she said.
“Our new partners represent the next generation of top talent across our markets and demonstrate our continued investment in our people and the firm.”
Ashurst global chief executive Paul Jenkins added: “We’re excited to welcome our new partners, who will bring fresh perspectives as we undertake the next phase of growth as set out in our 2027 Strategy.
“These promotions mark a significant career milestone and reflect the important contribution that these partners have made to the ongoing success of our clients, our people and the firm.”
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Jerome Doraisamy is the managing editor of Lawyers Weekly and HR Leader. He is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in New South Wales, and a board director of the Minds Count Foundation.
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Jerome Doraisamy
