Wedlake Bell has promoted four lawyers to the partnership, taking the firm to 43 partners in total.

The promotions, which took effect from the beginning of the month (1 August) saw the firm add one partner apiece in residential property, private client, employment and commercial, IT and IP.

The tally marks a slight increase on the 2008 round, when the firm made up three new partners. In that round two of the three promotions were in London, with the final new partner appointed in the firm's only other office in Guernsey. This year all four new partners are based in London.

Wedlake Bell senior partner David Earl commented: "Although it has been a challenging year for City law firms, especially those with very active real estate and corporate departments, we are very pleased to now be in a position where we can start planning for the future growth and development of the firm."

"These four new partners have all made a very significant contribution to the firm and their promotion to partnership will play an important role in the management and development of the teams in which they work."