Eversheds Sutherland has made up nine women to partner in its latest international promotion round – a third of the total group.

The 27-strong round is the largest since legacy firms Eversheds and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan merged in 2017.

Sixteen of the new partners are spread across the firm's U.K. offices, including in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham. Three of the new partners are based in the firm's City base. 

A spokesperson for the firm said in a statement that the latest round "reflects its goal to achieve 30% female representation at partner level by 2021″.

Eversheds international CEO Lee Ranson said in a statement: "The Eversheds Sutherland promotion process is challenging and designed to ensure that only the very best candidates succeed. On behalf of the firm, I would therefore like to congratulate all of the successful candidates on this significant achievement."

The firm has also promoted 17 lawyers to legal director across its offices in the U.K., Spain and Austria.

It boosted its global revenue by 10 percent last year, hitting $1.18 billion (£900 million) in turnover two years after its transatlantic tie-up.

The firm first broke the $1 billion barrier last year, reaching $1.03 billion (£700 million).