Herbert Smith Freehills has promoted its largest set of lawyers to partner since its 2012 merger, making up 26 across its global offices.

The firm has promoted its head of pro-bono, Brooke Massender, to partner, and has made up a second partner to its Alternative Legal Services arm.

Director of the U.K., U.S. and EMEA Alternative Legal Services offering Lisa McLaughlin has been promoted to the partnership after 17 years at the firm.

Her promotion follows that of global director Libby Jackson in 2017.

The duo's promotions are part of a 26-strong round, which has a 50:50 gender split.

Eight lawyers apiece have been made up across its U.K. and Australia offices. In Asia, two lawyers have been promoted to the firm's Singapore office, with one apiece in Hong Kong and Beijing.

HSF's continental Europe offices have been bolstered with six new partners, including a duo in Madrid and Moscow respectively, and one apiece in Frankfurt and Paris.

HSF CEO Mark Rigotti said in a statement: "I would like to congratulate our 26 new partners on this achievement and welcome them to the global partnership. It is more important than ever to have a partnership of diverse skills and talents, to help our clients navigate an increasingly complex business and legal landscape."

HSF CEO elect added in a statement: "These outstanding lawyers have shown a real commitment to our firm's culture and values. While COVID-19 continues to create uncertainties and challenges, we remain focused on taking steps to navigate its impact while looking to the future – and promoting partners is an important part of this."

HSF 2020 promotions in full:

Asia

Isaac Chen, Beijing – Capital Markets and M&A

Jojo Fan, Hong Kong – Commercial Litigation

Jamie McLaren, Singapore – Corporate M&A

Gitta Satryani, Singapore – International Arbitration

Australia

Steven Catanzariti, Sydney – Corporate

Chad Catterwell, Melbourne – International Arbitration

Melanie Debenham, Perth – Real estate

Kam Jamshidi, Melbourne – Corporate M&A

Shivchand Jhinku, Sydney – Employment

Brooke Massender, Sydney –  Corporate

Nicole Pedler, Sydney – Corporate M&A

Christine Tran, Sydney – Class Actions

Europe

Iria Calvino, Madrid – Public Law, Regulatory, Environmental

Armando Garcia-Mendoza, Madrid –  Corporate

Stefanie Herkert, Frankfurt – Corporate

Martin Le Touzé, Paris – FSR, Banking, Insurance

Vadim Panin, Moscow – Finance

Evgeny Yuriev, Moscow – Corporate M&A

U.K.

Helen Beatty, London – Finance

Hayley Brady, London – TMT

Casey Dalton, London – Tax

Michael Hunt, London – Tax

Tom Marshall, London – Infrastructure

Lisa McLaughlin, Belfast – Alternative Legal Services

Kate Meakin, London – Corporate Crime & Investigations

Aaron White, London – TMT