Norton Rose Fulbright has made up 18 female lawyers to its partnership in a 45-strong global promotions round.

Overall, women account for 40% of the firm's partner promotions this year, up from 31% in 2016.

In London, the firm has promoted eight lawyers – an increase on just two last year. The new City partners include five corporate, M&A and securities lawyers – Nicholas Berry, Victoria Birch, Charlotte Henry, Noleen John and Claire O'Donnell – alongside banking duo Neha Khosla and Andrew Wood, and disputes lawyer Holly Stebbing.

Half of this year's promotions are based in North America, with 11 in the US and 12 in Canada, while in continental Europe, two lawyers have been made up in Germany.

The Australia, Canada and US promotions took effect on 1 January this year, whereas South Africa promotions were effective on 1 April. Europe, Middle East and Asia promotions are effective as of 1 May.

Global chief executive Peter Martyr said: "These promotions underline our ongoing investment and commitment to our industry strengths and practice areas. As we continue to grow globally, these individuals will further support our clients and our own global ambitions."

Meanwhile, Stephenson Harwood has promoted three London lawyers to its partnership, with commercial litigators Donna Newman and Sophie Schultz, and finance senior associate George Vaughton making the grade.

In addition, finance lawyer Elton Chan has been made up to local partner in Hong Kong.

The total of four new partners is down on last year's nine-strong round, which was the firm's largest ever.

Stephenson Harwood chief executive Sharon White (pictured) said: "As we continue to grow our firm, we would like promotion numbers to be higher. We've made some great strides in improving the way we develop our people and we'll continue to do more to support our associates at every stage of their career."

Elsewhere, national firm TLT has promoted seven associates and one legal director to partner.

The Bristol-headquartered firm's real estate and commercial practices have received the bulk of promotions, with two each.

Five of the new partners are based in Bristol, with two in Manchester and one in London. The firm has also promoted four real estate associates to legal director.

TLT senior partner Andrew Glynn said: "This is our largest round of promotions in a number of years, signifying the growth of the firm across the UK. We attribute that growth to the dedication and hard work of our people, and are pleased to be able to recognise and reward it."

Norton Rose Fulbright partner promotions in full

Australia  Matthew Ellis (dispute resolution and litigation, Melbourne) James Morris (banking and finance, Sydney) Jyoti Singh (corporate, M&A and securities, Melbourne)

Canada  Michael Bolitho (real estate, Calgary) James O'Sullivan (corporate, M&A and securities, Calgary) Elizabeth Williams (intellectual property, Calgary) Charles Foucreault (Dispute resolution and Litigation, Montreal) Jamie Macdonald (Dispute resolution and Litigation, Ottawa) Peter MacTavish (employment and labour, Ottawa Jean-Sebastien Cloutier (employment and labour, Québec) Pierre Duquette (Dispute resolution and Litigation, Québec) Jean-Nicolas Prevost (corporate, M&A and securities, Québec) Amy Grenon (intellectual property, Toronto) Maya Medeiros (intellectual property, Toronto) Michael Torrance (employment and labour, Toronto)

US Tamsen Barrett (intellectual property,  Austin) Paul Conneely (corporate, M&A and securities, Dallas) Andrea D'Ambra (dispute resolution and litigation, New York) Cori Annapolen Goldberg (regulation and investigations,  New York) Benjamin Koplin (regulation and investigations, Austin) Celeste Lawton  (tax, Houston) Jarrett Reed (real estate, Dallas) Eagle Robinson (intellectual property, Austin) Katherine Tapley (real estate, San Antonio) Will Troutman (dispute resolution and litigation, Los Angeles) Greg Wilkes (financial restructuring and insolvency, Dallas)

South Africa  Raynold Tlhavani (dispute resolution and litigation, Johannesburg) Peter Lamb (dispute resolution and litigation, Durban) Riccardo Petersen (dispute resolution and litigation, Johannesburg) Daniel Breier (dispute resolution and litigation, Cape Town)  

Europe  Nicholas Berry (corporate, M&A and securities, London) Heiko Bertelmann (corporate, M&A and securities, Hamburg) Victoria Birch (corporate, M&A and securities, London) Charlotte Henry (corporate, M&A and securities, London) Noleen John (corporate, M&A and securities, London) Neha Khosla (banking and finance, London) Claire O'Donnell (corporate, M&A and securities, London) Christoph Ritzer (dispute resolution and litigation, Frankfurt) Holly Stebbing (dispute resolution and litigation, London) Andrew Wood (banking and finance, London)

Middle East  Adjou Ait Ben Idir (corporate, M&A and securities, Dubai)

Asia  Vicky Lam (corporate, M&A and securities, Hong Kong) David Milligan (banking and finance, Hong Kong) Doris Ng (corporate, M&A and securities, Hong Kong) Peter Glover (dispute resolution and litigation, Hong Kong)

Stephenson Harwood partner promotions Donna Newman (commercial litigation, London) Sophie Schultz (commercial litigation, London) George Vaughton (finance, London) Elton Chan (finance, Hong Kong)

TLT partner promotions Matthew Forrest (property litigation, Manchester) Siobhan Fitzgerald (employment, Bristol) Dan Read (commercial, Bristol) Patrick Sweeney (commercial, London) Matthew Grimwood (real estate, Bristol) Patrick Sheehan (real estate, Manchester) Antonia Silvestri (corporate, Bristol) Victoria Mabbett (commercial dispute resolution, Bristol)