Regional law firm Michelmores has exceeded its aim of having women make up 30% of its partnership by next year following its latest round of promotions.
Four of its six new partners are women, meaning the firm’s proportion of female partners is now 35% out of a total of 62. It has also promoted six senior associates, all of them women.
The newly promoted partners at the firm, which has offices in Bristol, Exeter and London, have a combined experience of 66 years and cover a wide spectrum of speciality areas. 
Michelmores had set a target of achieving a partnership with a ratio of 70%-30% men to women by 2022.
The firm employs a total of 390 people including 57 staff – 12 of them partners – in its Bristol office.
The new partners are:
Simon Allum – a tax specialist based in Bristol office who advises businesses and entrepreneurs on tax issues in corporate transactions, reorganisations, investments and real estate.
Jayne Clemens – a specialist in IT and financial services disputes, and defamation, based in Exeter.
Alice Daniels – also based in the Exeter office and an advisor on commercial disputes, often with cross-border elements.
Bethan Jones – an expert in providing HR and employment support to businesses and individuals from the firm’s Exeter office.
Rachel O’Connor – an agricultural dispute resolution specialist based in Bristol with a niche practice around the role of insects as a sustainable protein source.
Harry Trick – a specialist in UK and international mergers and acquisitions, and private equity/venture capital investment. Harry is based in Michelmores’ London office. 
The new senior associates are Gail Bedford (real estate), Lynsey Blyth (employment), Hannah Slater (projects), Charlotte Coombs (tax, trusts & succession), Chloe Vernon-Shore (commercial) and Rajvinder Kaur (agriculture).
Michelmores managing partner Tim Richards, pictured, said: “I am absolutely delighted that two thirds of our new partners, and all of our new senior associates are women.
“We have not only exceeded our target when it comes to women at partnership level, but we have also done it a year ahead of our target date. Whilst there is always more to be done to promote gender parity, these promotions are a genuine cause for celebration.”
Michelmores director of HR Colette Stevens said the promotions demonstrated the firm’s commitment to inclusivity and improving gender balance.
“We place a great deal of importance on supporting our people to be the best they can be. All of our newly promoted partners and senior associates will continue to make a valuable contribution to our business, and I congratulate them on reaching a significant milestone in their careers,” she added.
Michelmores provides legal services across a range of sectors, including real estate, construction, agriculture, corporate and private wealth.
