The double appointment forms part of a global round of 13 partner promotions across eight offices in Europe and Asia.

Mr Lawlor and Mr McKnight were previously managing associates in the firm’s financial services regulation practice.

Senior partner Colin Passmore said the new partners, 40 per cent of whom are women, had “come through in exceptional times”.

He added: “The last year has been a time of unprecedented upheaval for our clients and this cohort of lawyers have been rightly recognised for their resilience and creativity in delivering smart solutions to new and complex challenges. Together, they demonstrate that our future is in very good hands.”

Simmons & Simmons was one of the first international law firms to expand into Dublin in anticipation of increased demand for legal services from the financial services sector following the Brexit vote.