Shearman & Sterling has made up seven new partners in this year's promotions round, with the US firm's City office receiving one new partner.

Litigation associate Richard Kelly joins the partnership in London, becoming the second partner in the firm's City litigation practice.

Shearman's New York office has received the bulk of the promotions, with three new partners made up in project development, litigation and capital markets.

The firm's Abu Dhabi office saw one new project development partner, while Duesseldorf and Paris received one partner apiece in corporate and international arbitration respectively.

Senior partner Rohan Weerasinghe (pictured) said: "Once again we have elected an outstanding group of lawyers – reflecting our business and global platform – to the partnership. We anticipate their impressive record of client service, combined with outstanding technical capabilities and leadership, will serve our clients best."

The total number of promotions marks a slight drop on last year, when the firm made up 11 to the partnership. At that time, real estate associate Clare Breeze and finance counsel Mei Lian were both promoted in London.

The news comes just a week after fellow US firm Reed Smith completed this year's promotion round, with 18 new partners made up. Real estate lawyer Richard Ceeney was made up as a partner in the firm's London office.

All promotions are effective as of 1 January 2010.

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