Simmons & Simmons has announced its new partner promotions, with the firm making up just four following a partnership vote last night (16 June).

The promotions, which were pushed back by several months, mark a significant drop on last year's round, when the firm made up 18 new partners.

Of the four new appointments, communications lawyer James Cotter is the only one to secure partnership in Simmons' City base. Italy gains two new partners, with Paris receiving one.

The financial markets group gains two new partners through the promotion of Ian Rogers in Paris and Vinicio Trombetti in Rome. Padua-based corporate lawyer Marco Malipiero is the fourth new partner.

Last year, half of Simmons' promotions came in the London headquarters, eight were in Europe and one outside Europe in Doha.

Simmons senior partner David Dickinson said: "Obviously these are prudent times, but we are still promoting people of high quality. We always have a good look at the business case as well as the quality of candidates. These [four] are all excellent."

Simmons usually appoints new partners by early May but delayed the vote this year as it spent April approving its new three-year business plan. The firm has also pushed back the announcement of its financial results until the figures have been audited.

Simmons partner promotions in full

  • James Cotter: international information, communications and technology, London
  • Marco Malipiero: international corporate, Padua
  • Ian Rogers: international financial markets, Paris
  • Vinicio Trombetti: international financial markets, Rome

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