The battle to recruit and retain the most promising up-and-comers in private equity is sparking fierce competition across the City, as law firms look to build up their bench of talent in this increasingly influential sector. In this article, we profile some of the rising stars at top UK and international law firms in London. Almost everyone on the list, which is by no means definitive, made partner in 2015 or later, while a few hotly tipped associates have also made the cut.

Emma Havas, Travers Smith, made partner: 2017

Key deals: Advising the Access Group on eight bolt-on acquisitions during the past 12 months, and advising PureGym on its acquisition of Soho Gyms.

What has been your career-defining moment? This may sound like a strange response, but probably the decision a few years ago not to go for partnership at that stage. I took an alternative career path in the interim and coming through to partnership on a different timeframe and in a different way worked really well for me for a number of reasons. I was senior counsel for a while and then went through the promotion process while on my second period of maternity leave.