McDermott Will & Emery's London revenues have rocketed almost 40 percent in its latest financial year, as the firm's global figures hit a record of just over $1 billion.

London's total climbed from $29.5 million to almost $41 million in the 12 months to December 2018.

Newly appointed London managing partner Hamid Yunis said the firm's UK office has been firmly in "growth mode".

He said: "Our headcount growth in London and firm-wide over the last few years is reflected in our revenue growth as well. We believe these directly correlate to one another."

Hamid Yunis, McDermott Will & Emery London managing partner

The London office partner headcount had climbed to 28 by January this year, compared with 24 the previous year. The London office has also hired 14 associates since January 2018 – 11 last year and three more in January 2019.

Taking the helm at the start of this year, Yunis said he will continue a drive for growth. Although a strong year for the London office, Yunis said: "While the number of lawyers and people we have in the global firm is greater in the U.S. rather than in our non-U.S. offices, the relative split is not proportionally represented in our revenue. We would therefore like to push for a more proportionate revenue performance by growing generally and indeed strengthening our non-U.S. offices."

London's transactions team – led by Rupert Weber – has grown rapidly during the past three to four years, and now makes up two thirds of the office. One area Yunis will now look to expand is commercial litigation.

McDermott partner hires in the past year have included Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner structured finance partner Rachel Kelly and counsel Kerry Pettigrew, and DLA Piper City real estate partners Laurence Rogers, Neville Wright and Tom Calnan.

The firm's partner promotion round at the end last year made up two City lawyers compared with just one the previous year.

Other US law firms today reporting revenue increases for the last financial year include Morgan Lewis, O'Melveny, Paul Hastings.