LAW firm Dickinson Dees has announced nine key promotions across its corporate and commercial, employment and property departments.

The Newcastle-based firm has promoted key pensions expert Suzanne Duff to partner, highlighting the success of its pensions business. Ms Duff joined the firm in 2006, and has been described by legal bible Chambers and Partners as “a prominent figure in the region with an ideal background to provide unparalleled expert advice on regulatory issues, as well as on general pensions matters”.

Meanwhile Ben Butler, Chloe McSwaine and Robin Steel, who joined Dickinson Dees as a trainee in 2000, have all been promoted to director in the corporate and commercial department in Newcastle. The firm’s employment team, topranked in legal directory Chambers UK, has promoted Graham Richardson, based at the firm’s headquarters in Newcastle, and Tom Watkins, who works from the York office, to director.

Despite the difficult economic climate in which the property team has been working, the firm has promoted Julia Kenny, Chris Ledgerwood and Russell Hall to directors in Newcastle.

Robin Bloom, senior partner at Dickinson Dees, said: “This year’s promotions reflect the excellent contribution of our staff to the development of the firm and our commitment to the long-term growth of Dickinson Dees through retaining and in investing in high-quality people.”