Slaughter and May has made up four lawyers to equity partner in a female-dominated promotions round.

The firm has promoted three associates in London to partner, with salaried partner Clara Choi made up to the equity in Hong Kong. The promotions, which take effect from 1 May, are split equally between corporate and disputes.

The three new London partners include two women – Camilla Sanger and Holly Ware – who have been promoted in the London disputes team. The sole new male partner is corporate associate Nicholas Pacheco, while Hong Kong-based Choi – who was promoted to salaried partner in May 2014 – is also a corporate lawyer.

The total number of new partners made up at Slaughters marks the second year in a row that total numbers have declined. The magic circle firm made up seven partners in 2017, following a particularly large intake in 2016, when it promoted 10 lawyers to partnership – its largest round since 2000.

Senior partner Steve Cooke said: "We are pleased to announce the election of four new equity partners. The firm has a strong pipeline of talent, which is reflected in the fact that we have promoted lawyers from the contentious and non-contentious sides of the business. We welcome each of them to the partnership and are confident that they will continue to contribute significantly to the business as partners."

Earlier this week, Pinsent Masons made up 23 lawyers to partnership in its largest promotions round since 2015. The number of women in the haul is down on last year, with six women and 17 men made up  to partner, compared to 11 women in a 16-strong group in 2017.

Berwin Leighton Paisner became the first leading UK firm to announce its 2018 partner promotions, making up five lawyers to partner in an earlier-than-usual promotions round, ahead of its pending combination with Bryan Cave.