Olswang has made up two lawyers to its partnership, marking an 80% drop on the 10 the firm promoted in 2008.

Carol Griffin, who is based in the firm's Thames Valley office, has been made up in real estate at the UK top 30 firm. She specialises in commercial property and investment work, as well as managing the real estate team in the office.

Meanwhile, IP, IT and technology lawyer Dominic Dryden has been made up to the partnership in London.

The reduced promotions round will be seen as a reflection of the economic pressures facing the legal profession, with the vast majority of top firms mirroring Olswang's move by promoting fewer lawyers this year than they did in 2008.

Last year's promotions round – when Olwang made up 10 to partner – was a record total for the firm, representing the largest batch of new partners since the firm's foundation in 1981.

Yesterday (7 May) Barlow Lyde & Gilbert promoted four lawyers to its partnership, with all four working across the firm's specialist dispute resolution teams in the City. Meanwhile top 10 firm Herbert Smith made up 13 new partners earlier this week and Macfarlanes made up just two compared to five in 2008.