Partner promotion season continues apace with global law firms Freshfields and DLA Piper each promoting one lawyer to partner in the Middle East.
Freshfields has promoted Charlotte Stevens from counsel to partner in the firm’s global transactions group.
Stevens, who is based in Abu Dhabi, advises on acquisitions, asset transfers and disposals, joint ventures and strategic alliances with a focus on the energy and infrastructure sectors.
She has recently returned from secondment with ADNOC supporting the upstream team.
Stevens is one of 25 new partners at the firm, effective from May 1, 2025.
The new partners work across the global firm’s offices. Nine partners were promoted in London, where the firm is headquartered. Four partners were promoted in Frankfurt, three in New York, and two in Brussels. Freshfields appointed one partner in Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Madrid, Paris, and Singapore.
Freshfields senior partner Georgia Dawson said: “This cohort of new partners deliver market-leading legal expertise for our global client base. They bring with them the insight, ambition and leadership that will help guide the firm and our teams into the future, shaping how we grow, evolve and continue to deliver for our clients. We look forward to working with our new partners during the next phase of their careers.”
DLA Piper has promoted Mapanza Nkwilimba from legal director to partner, effective from May 1, 2025.
Based in the firm’s Doha office, Nkwilimba specialises in dispute resolution across a range of construction, engineering and other related contracts in the energy and natural resources sector.
He is one of 65 new partners at the firm. Globally, the corporate practice group had the largest intake of new partners with 19 promotions; followed by 12 in finance; 13 in litigation; and six in real estate. Other practice groups include employment (5), intellectual property & technology (5), tax (3), and regulatory & government affairs (2).
Regionally, the US had the highest number of promotions with 23 new partners, followed by Continental Europe with 20 and the UK and Ireland with 12. Other countries include Canada (5), Ireland (2), and South Africa (2).
Charles Severs, international managing partner and global co-CEO, commented: “This year’s cohort joins our firm’s partnership during a time of significant change and opportunity in the global landscape. We are committed to helping our clients navigate these challenges and our 2025 cohort of new partners have been instrumental in delivering this support. We are very proud of them all for achieving this milestone moment in their careers.”
