SJ Berwin is set to promote seven new partners next month (1 May), including five made up in the firm's City base.

The total number of appointments is slightly up on last year, when the UK top 20 firm promoted six new partners.

The majority of the promotions come in the firm's London headquarters, which receives five new partners, while the firm's Frankfurt and Madrid offices see one new partner appointment each.

Almost half of the new promotions come in the firm's corporate department, with three made up to the senior rank in the practice, while two are made up in tax with one each in employment and intellectual property.

SJ Berwin senior partner Jonathan Blake commented: "These are first-rate lawyers who excel both in legal creativity and outstanding client service. The coming years are full of opportunities and SJ Berwin is well placed with such talented individuals on board."

SJ Berwin's partner promotions have been at roughly the same level over the last few years, as the firm added six partners last year and eight in 2008.

In 2009, the firm's corporate and tax departments were also represented while EU & competition and real estate also received new partners. That year, half of the promotions were in London with the other three spread across the firm's European offices.

The news comes after UK rival Eversheds yesterday announced 19 new partner promotions with over half of the promotions coming in the firm's international network.

SJ Berwin partner promotions in full

London
Giles Bavister (tax)
Patrick Deasy (corporate)
Stephen Pevsner (tax)
Carl Richards (employment)
Chris Thornham (intellectual property)

Frankfurt
Boris Klaesener (pictured, corporate)

Madrid
Gonzalo Olivera (corporate)