Within Australia, new partners include Anton Harris, Olivia Lau, Pauline Tan and Ben Warne from the Sydney office, as well as Meredith Bennett from Brisbane and Jane Harvey from Melbourne.

Ashurst chairman Ben Tidswell said the firm was proud of its staff development.

"We have a strong track record of developing high quality lawyers into exceptionally talented partners and we congratulate all of this year's partners on their appointment,” Mr Tidswell said.

“In particular, we are encouraged that nearly half of our newly promoted partners are women. Having increased the number promoted by a third this year, we have focused on building up strength in core strategic practices.”

In addition, vice-chairman Mary Padbury congratulated the partners on their achievement.

“Our 20 new partners have made an outstanding contribution to the firm through their commitment to delivering the highest-quality client service and reflect our continued commitment to further invest in key areas of our firm,” she said.

Globally, 12 of the new partners are in Britain and one each is in France and Singapore.