The number of associate promotions to partner has declined significantly in 2009. In the month of November, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has promoted half as many associates as last year, from eight to four. Latham & Watkins has decreased its numbers by 25 percent to 23. Ropes & Gray has graduated eight associates to partner, a third of the number from last year. The ecomonic downturn is partially to blame, but it would appear that in recent years promotions were becoming increasingly more difficult to come by.

Source:  www.nylj.com