BLP partner promotions see increase on 2008

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has made up seven new partners in its promotions round, including five in the embattled real estate sector.

Sunita Chawla, Vicky Fowler, Victoria Gardner, Samant Narula and Juliet Thomas have all been made up in BLP's real estate practice, while Scott Dickson and Stephen Ketteley have been promoted in the firm's projects and corporate practices respectively.

Meanwhile, BLP has also promoted four new associate directors, with knowledge development lawyer Simon Brayton, real estate planning lawyer Paul Grace, restructuring lawyer Sharon Potter and corporate finance lawyer Richard Stewart all moving into the role.

The firm created the associate director post three years ago as an alternative to partnership and last year promoted a bumper round of 13 associates.

The promotions mark an increase on 2008 when the firm made up five new partners.

Managing partner Neville Eisenberg (pictured) said: "Despite the difficult market conditions, we believe in providing our people with career opportunities that help them develop to their full potential. One particularly pleasing aspect of these promotions is that, for the first time, we have promoted one of our associate directors to partner."

All promotions take effect from 1 May and all new partners and associate directors are based in London.

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Click here for a full round-up of this year's partner promotions so far.

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