In a bold move that underscores its commitment to global growth and excellence, Norton Rose Fulbright has announced the promotion of 51 lawyers to partner across its worldwide network, effective January 1, 2026. But here’s where it gets intriguing: this isn’t just about numbers—it’s about the diverse talent and expertise these individuals bring to the table. Spanning 12 practice areas, from litigation and disputes to cybersecurity and data privacy, this new partner class is a testament to the firm’s dedication to fostering leadership across its global platform.
This year’s promotions are spread across 22 of the firm’s 53 offices, with the U.S., Canada, and the UK leading the charge with 18, 12, and 10 new partners, respectively. But what does this mean for the future of the firm? Jeff Cody, Global Managing Partner and Managing Partner for the United States, highlights the significance: “Growing our partnership remains a cornerstone of our strategy. These individuals have not only demonstrated exceptional client focus and technical prowess but also a genuine commitment to collaboration across our global network. We’re excited to see the impact they’ll continue to make.”
And this is the part most people miss: the promotions reflect a strategic focus on areas critical to today’s legal landscape. For instance, the rise in cybersecurity and data privacy partners comes at a time when digital threats are more pervasive than ever. Is this a sign that firms are finally catching up to the demands of the digital age? Or is it a proactive move to stay ahead of the curve? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Peter Scott, Global Managing Partner for Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, adds: “Our clients trust us to deliver seamless, high-quality service no matter where they operate. This new partner class embodies the breadth and depth of talent that makes this possible. Each of these individuals has earned this milestone through outstanding work and dedication to the firm. Congratulations to all of them!”
For those curious about the specifics, here’s a breakdown of the promotions by practice area, including the names and locations of the newly appointed partners. But before you dive in, consider this: How will this influx of talent reshape the firm’s approach to global legal challenges?
Antitrust and Competition
- Alex Cummings, Houston
- Nuala Canavan, London
Banking and Finance
- Adele Gray, Melbourne
- CJ Grey, Cape Town*
- Georgie Field, London
- Jonathan Crookes, London
- Matthew Bambury, London
- Michael Cockburn, Toronto
- Olivia Cullen, London
- Ryan Apar, New York
Corporate, M&A and Securities
- Caleb Segrest, Dallas
- Charles St-Pierre, Montréal
- David Bartlett, London
- Fridoun Chee, Sydney
- Joseph Palmieri, Toronto
- Joshua Temkin, London
- Julia Godolphin, Montréal
- Matthew O’Shea, London
- Pierre-Olivier Valiquette, Montréal
- Shazi Askarpour, Dubai
- Siyuan An, Los Angeles
- Will Betts, Dallas
- Wenzel Richter, Munich
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
- Ellen Blanchard, Dallas
- Susana Medeiros, New York
Employment and Labor
- Francis Champagne, Montréal
Financial Services and Regulation
- Rachael Hashmall, Denver
Government
- Jiadi Liang, Canberra
- Veronica Seeto, Canberra
Healthcare Transactions
- Maxwell Karasek, Chicago
Intellectual Property
- Daniel Posker, Sydney
- John Poulos, Chicago
- Paul Jorgensen, Toronto
- Stephanie Schmidt, Austin
Litigation and Disputes
- Chris Cooke, San Antonio
- Ellie Norris, Dallas
- Emily Wolf, Austin
- Ieronymos Bikakis, London
- Jaime Wing, Minneapolis
- Jessica Warwick, Ottawa
- Joseph Bentley, London
- Julie Lacourcière, Montréal
- Kiasha Nagiah, Johannesburg*
- Kristina Williams, Dallas
- Lindsay Bec, Calgary
- Meghan Fougere, Ottawa
- Rita Nader-Guéroult, Paris
- Terresa Feng, Montréal
Projects
- Gabrielle Jacques, New York
- Jeremy Tripp, Houston
Risk Advisory
- Jeremy Moller, Sydney
Note: Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa will become an independent firm as of March 31, 2026.
So, what’s your take? Does this wave of promotions signal a shift in the legal industry’s priorities? Or is it business as usual? Share your thoughts below—we’re all ears!