Jones Day has promoted two new partners in London out of a global total of 36 in the firm's annual partnership round.

The new City-based partners are international litigation and arbitration specialist Nicholas Cotter and Barnaby Stueck (pictured) in the US firm's trial practice.

The promotions increase Jones Day's London partner headcount to 50, a decrease of three on the same point last year, despite the firm making a number of lateral hires during 2009. Im September, Hamish Lal joined from Dundas & Wilson as construction head, while in August the firm recruited Mayer Brown's London competition and antitrust head Frances Murphy.

The bulk of this year's promotions come in the firm's New York and Chicago offices, which receive five apiece, while the Cleveland office sees four new partners. Internationally, Brussels, Singapore, Paris, Munich, Hong Kong and Tokyo all gain one new partner while Sydney receives two.

The total number of promotions represents a slight decrease on last year, when 40 lawyers were made up, including four new partners in London.

London office head Russell Carmedy said: "These appointments demonstrate Jones Day's commitment to the ongoing development of its global platform in whatever circumstances may exist at any particular time."

Yesterday (12 January) K&L Gates promoted 24 lawyers to the partnership, with just one promotion coming in the firm's London office – the only promotion outside of the US.

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