King & Wood Mallesons has doubled up on the number of partners it promoted to its partnership in Australia last year, announcing 12 new appointments this week. By practice area, banking and finance and projects and real estate have received four new partners apiece, making up the bulk of the promotions round. Private equity and M&A has been given three new partners, while dispute resolution has received just one. Women are strongly represented in the round, with five new women partners making up 42 per cent of the total promotion pool. Australian chief executive partner Sue Kench says the bumper round is indicative of the firm’s strong position in the region: ‘We are focused on growth and ensuring we have the capability in core areas where we see the biggest opportunities for our clients now and into the future – both in Australia and offshore,’ she said. The promotions are effective from 1 July.

The new partners are:

Sydney:

Jo Dodd (banking and finance)

John Eagleton (banking and finance)

Elizabeth Hundt Russel (banking and finance)

Rebecca Finklestein (projects and real estate)

Rod Smythe (projects and real estate)

Henrik Moritz (M&A and private equity)

Matthew Coull (M&A and private equity)

Melbourne:

Chris Dynon (banking and finance)

Emily Masters (projects and real estate)

Brisbane:

Shannon Etwell (projects and real estate)

Canberra:

Annabel Griffin (M&A and private equity)

Perth:

James Wang (dispute resolution)

Sources: Legal Week; Australasian Lawyer