Firms continue to promote lawyers despite a couple who've delayed their promotion rounds due to COVID-19 uncertainty.

Irwin Mitchell, Stephenson Harwood and Charles Russell Speechlys are the latest firms to have announced their partner promotions for 2020, despite the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Irwin Mitchell has made up a total of eleven partners this year, including eight female lawyers. The promotions will take effect on May 1, 2020.

Andrew Tucker, group chief executive at Irwin Mitchell, said in a statement: "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has made getting professional and timely advice more important than ever for people and businesses. Our advisory services are seeing that demand from clients and it's important we continue to build our group to support that."

Meanwhile, Stephenson Harwood has promoted six to the partnership, also effective on May 1, 2020. Only two are based in London, while the other four are based in Hong Kong.

Firm CEO Eifion Morris indicated that the promotions ensure the firm is "in a position of strength to face the current pandemic".

Finally, Charles Russell Speechlys promotes four to the partnership this year, also effective from May 1. All four are based in the firm's London office.

The promotions come after Simmons & Simmons and Ashurst delayed their promotion rounds in the face of the crisis.

Earlier on Wednesday, Clifford Chance became the last of the Magic Circle firms to add to its partnership.

Irwin Mitchell 2020 partner promotions in full:

Emma McCann and Andrea Jones in tax, trusts, and estates;

Jenna Lucas and Mark Hands in family law;

Cheryl Palmer-Hughes in international personal injury;

Adele Lomas in ascent;

Elaine Huttley in employment;

Katie Strong in court of protection and public law;

Nicola Maier in absestos-related disease;

Richard Kayser in serious injury.

Stephenson Harwood 2020 partner promotions in full:

Jonathan Bridcut, corporate, London;

Ahsley Davidson, real estate, London;

Michelle Chung, corporate, Hong Kong;

Eloise Matsui, Elizabeth Sloane and Alexander Tang, litigation, Hong Kong.

Charles Russell Speechlys 2020 partner promotions in full:

Oliver Auld, private wealth disputes;

Helen Coward, corporate tax;

Alexander Gold and Eddie Richards, real estate

Read more:

UK Firm Latest to Defer Partner Distributions, Avoids Furloughing Employees

A Firm-By-Firm Guide on the Latest Pandemic Measures