Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has become the latest firm to push gender diversity up the agenda, setting a 30% target for female partners by 2019.

The gender target is set in two stages: by May 2017 at least 25% of the partnership will be women and by May 2019 at least 30% of the partnership will be women.

Joint CEO David Willis (pictured) said: "These targets have tangible benefits for the whole business – as well as promoting the best talent, they will help us meet the needs of our clients and bring diverse perspectives to our business and the business of clients. In order to create a fully diverse and inclusive culture, we need to challenge ourselves to make measurable progress; just as we measure progress in any part of our business."

The firm is also a member of the 30% Club in London and Hong Kong, which is committed to increasing gender diversity at the senior levels of organisations. HSF also runs global diversity programmes and women's networks, as well as unconscious bias training for partners and inclusive leadership development for partners.

Earlier this month Pinsent Masons launched a suite of initiatives aimed at increasing its number of female partners to 30%, with an initial target of 25% set for May 2018.

In 2012 Hogan Lovells and King & Wood Mallesons announced similar objectives to increase the proportion of women in their partnerships.

Hogan Lovells set a ten-year target to improve its partner gender balance, aiming for a 25% female partnership by 2017 and 30% by 2022. The firm also set a separate target to increase the current proportion of 28% of women in management roles to 30% by 2015. Meanwhile, KWM set a 30% target in its Australian partnership by 2015.