Eversheds has promoted nine UK lawyers to its newly-created legal director role, with the firm set to roll out the partnership alternative to its international offices next year.

The new position, which was announced last autumn, is intended as an alternative to the traditional partner route, rather than a stepping stone. However, it will still be possible for legal directors, who will be known as of counsel outside the UK, to be made up to partner.

The promotions, which took effect from 1 May, are split across the company commercial practice, which gains four legal directors; human resources, which gains two; litigation and disputes, which also gains two; and real estate, where the firm has added one legal director.

London trio Lindi Rudman, Sarah Bion and Camilla Spielman have been promoted in the financial services department, while Cardiff duo Aida Mebrahtu and Helen Mortlock specialise in pensions and employment work respectively.

Manchester has gained two new legal directors, Chris Henshaw in construction and Jane Southworth in the environmental department. Meanwhile, Cambridge lawyer Liz Fitzsimons has become a legal director in the commercial department, focusing on privacy and information law.

Associates began applying for the role at the end of 2011, with the position intended for those with around seven or more years' post-qualification experience.

Chief executive Bryan Hughes (pictured) commented: "We have introduced this role to distinguish and promote our people who don't want to go down the traditional route to partnership, but are still highly valued for their exceptional technical expertise, both by us and our clients."

News of the promotions comes after the UK top 10 firm made up 11 lawyers to partner in a 22-strong global round on 1 May, of which three are based in London.