Blake Dawson has announced the appointment of M&A and equity capital markets partner Elspeth Arnold to its board. Arnold is the third woman on the seven person board and joins Mary Padbury, the firm's chairman, and partner Sarah Dulhunty, on the firm's peak governing body.

Half of the firm’s recent round of partner appointments were female, bringing the partnership to a 24% female representation. Once the most recent round of promotions occur, 43% of the firm’s special counsel will be female and 57% of the firm’s senior associates will be female. Overall, women make up 61% of the lawyer contingent at Blakes.