Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has made up eight partners across its global network with London missing out in favour of appointments in Hong Kong and New York.

Of the two counsel also made up by the firm, one came in the London office, with antitrust and competition lawyer Paul Gilbert (pictured) making the grade. Gilbert, who joined Cleary in 2011, was previously director of competition policy at the Office of Fair Trading.

UK anti-trust practice co-head Maurits Dolmans said: "Paul has been integral to bolstering the profile of the UK practice over the past few years and his election to counsel further strengthens our antitrust capability in London."

Managing partner Mark Leddy said that the new partners, who cover practice areas including capital markets, M&A and litigation, "exemplify Cleary Gottlieb's diversity and internationalism".

Last year Cleary made up six partners across its global network, down from eight in 2012. Only one, Carlo de Vito Piscicelli, was based at the firm's London office, compared with two the previous year.

The rest of the promotions were split between Europe and New York, which took two partners. Cleary also made up two lawyers to the role of counsel last year.

The latest promotions are effective January 1 2015, and will bring the firm's total worldwide partner count to 195, with 48 counsel.