Slaughter and May has promoted eight lawyers to its partnership as part of its 2020 promotions round. 

From May 1, 2020, seven London senior associates and one Hong Kong-based lawyer will join the elite firm's partnership.

The firm's corporate department is adding five new partners, including Natalie Cook, Alexander Dustan, Harry Hecht, Claire Jackson, and new Hong Kong partner Ben Heron. 

The investigations team adds new partner Tim Blanchard, while infrastructure, energy and natural resources lawyer Oliver Moir also joins the partnership alongside financing lawyer Samay Shah.

The latest round represents a return to form for the Magic Circle firm, which made up only one new partner last year—corporate partner Harry Bacon. In 2016 the firm made up 10, seven in 2017 and four in 2018.

On the new appointments, senior partner Steve Cooke said in a statement: "We are really pleased to announce the election of eight new partners.  Each of these talented individuals has already established a strong track record of providing excellent advice to our clients and will make an important contribution to the continuing growth of our business.  

"The fact that we have promoted lawyers from a broad spread of practice areas in these uncertain times reflects the underlying strength of the firm."

The firm matches Hogan Lovells in London, which in January also promoted eight lawyers to its partnership.

Earlier this year, Macfarlanes made up two partners in its latest set, while U.S. firm Latham & Watkins added two London lawyers to its partnership.