Initially promotion is based on your years of experience.
The firm goes by pae as opposed to how long you've been there since the graduate program
Promotion from graduate to lawyer is automatic upon admission. promotion from lawyer to associate is automatic upon pqe. i think that early promotion to associate should be more available depending on the individual (eg prior industry experience, billables/hours worked, autonomy in role, etc, means the lawyer should be able to advance to associate sooner).