CMS Cameron McKenna has promoted nine lawyers to its partnership, with seven in its UK offices. Emma Burnett, Alexander Denslow, Alison McHaffie, Jean Price and Rob Morris (Bristol) – commercial, regulatory and disputes; Karen Clarke – Construction and Rob Gray – infrastructure and project finance.

Nabarro has promoted three associates in its London office, Michael Delaney – banking, finance and restructuring; Kristy Duane – corporate and Eesheta Shah – IP.

Osborne Clarke has promoted two private equity associates Matthew Lewis and Robert Wood.

Clifford Chance has promoted 22 lawyers to partner, five in London. They include Sumesh Sawhney – Corporate; John Dawson, Anne Drakeford and John MacLennan – Finance and Kelwin Nicholls – Litigation and dispute resolution. Meanwhile, it looks like CC is struggling in the US – its partnership has shrunk by 21 per cent over the past five years.

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has promoted just one lawyer; Claire Petts will join the partnership in the casualty and healthcare team.

Kennedys has promoted seven with 5 in its UK offices: Jane Williams and Michael Hogg – insurance, London; Simon Combe – insurance, Taunton; Rob Tobin – liability, London and Jenny Harris – liability, Chelmsford.

All of whom are no doubt pleased with their move up the ladder. But how long will the glow of progress last?

Although salaried partner promotions have continued in reasonable order during the recession, there is suspicion that a less rosy picture underlies the positive gloss.

According to research conducted by Legal Week, the total number of salaried partners at the UK top 30 firms increased by 17.6% between the 2007 and 2009 partnership rounds. In contrast, equity partner numbers only increased by 2.9% across the top 30.

It seems the price of keeping those PEP figures nice and strong whilst keeping the troops sweet will be a surfeit of salaried partners stuck below the equity ceiling.