Linklaters’ First Senior Female Partner

Linklaters’ First Senior Female Partner​

The Story

For the first time in its 183-year history, Linklaters LLP (Linklaters) has announced its first female senior partner, Aedamar Comiskey, in what was an “all-female” contest for leadership (The Times). Such news serves as a celebratory reminder of the progress of women in the legal profession. As recently as the 1913 case of Bebb v Law Society, Gwyneth Bebb failed to convince the High Court that she was a ‘person’ within the meaning of the Solicitors Act 1843. It was only later, in 1919, that the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 allowed women to qualify and practise as solicitors in the UK for the first time.

With Linklaters’ previous senior partner M&A lawyer Charlie Jacobs stepping down to become JP Morgan’s co-head of investment banking in the UK, the shortlist to replace Jacobs included Aedamar Comiskey, who is a London-based M&A lawyer and global corporate head; London corporate and M&A partner Sarah Wiggins; and Milan-based western Europe managing partner Claudia Parzani (The Times).

At the top of the agenda following election is a review of renumeration policies, specifically potential reform of the firm’s ‘lockstep’ model (Financial Times). The traditional lockstep model means that equity partners’ profits increase in line with their seniority within a firm, as opposed to pay being tied to merit. In recent years, it is this merit-based system that has helped US law firms attract senior lawyers from rival firms.

What It Means For Businesses and Law Firms

The appointment of a female senior partner for Linklaters appears to reflect change among the top law firms. As of January 2021, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (Freshfields) became the first magic circle law firm to appoint a female senior partner (Global Legal Post). Since starting in the role, Georgia Dawson has set global targets from 2021 to 2026, for new partners to be“at least 40% women and 40% men (20% men, women or non-binary)” (Freshfields press release). Freshfields’ most recent diversity report for the UK shows 25% of partners to be female (Freshfields’ Diversity Report 2020). Herbert Smith Freehills has also appointed corporate lawyer, Rebecca Maslen-Stannage as senior partner with effect from May 2021 (Herbert Smith Freehills press release).

Looking more broadly, most recent SRA data suggests that women make up 49% of the legal sector in England and Wales. However, discrepancies arise when looking at seniority, with women making up only 34% of partners. Despite seeing strident improvements in the number of female trainee solicitors and associates, underrepresentation at board level still presents a systemic issue. Methods to address this ‘glass ceiling’ could include: appointing senior female partners, gender neutral parental leave to allow for shared childcare responsibilities, or considering how women taking maternity leave can still progress their careers and develop business (Financial Times). Similarly, investing in mentoring programmes, career coaching, and networking events could also enhance promotion opportunities.

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