Reed Smith and Morrison & Foerster have become the latest firms to announce their new partner promotions, with Reed Smith making up 22 and MoFo 10.

At Reed Smith the majority of the promotions are in the firm's US offices, which gain 15 new partners. London gains four new partners, with Patrick Beale (dispute resolution), Charles Bezzant (real estate finance), Charlotte Moller (restructuring and insolvency) and Gregor Pryor (media) all joining the partnership.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong sees two lawyers elected to the partnership, with Paris gaining one.

The promotion tally marks a significant drop on last year, when Reed Smith made up 31 new partners worldwide. However, the result is an improvement for London, which last year gained just three new partners.

Commenting on the promotions, Roger Parker, Reed Smith's European and the Middle East managing partner said: "It is fabulous to see these promotions rewarding hard work, outstanding legal skills, strong client relationships and many varied and significant contributions to the success of our business."

The promotion tally comes after Reed Smith this month kicked off a redundancy consultation that could see 11 associates and seven staff members cut from the firm's UK offices, after the firm laid off 115 members of staff in the US.

At MoFo, eight of the new partners are in offices across the US, with London and Tokyo gaining one new partner apiece. Last year the firm made up 24 new partners worldwide from its associate and of counsel ranks with none in London.

The promotions at both firms will take effect from 1 January, 2009.

Reed Smith this week denied reports that it has frozen associate salaries for 2009. In a statement the firm said: "Reed Smith has definitely not instituted a freeze in associate salaries for 2009. On the contrary, most of our associates did in fact receive raises, though in amounts lower than in previous years."

Bonus decisions are not expected until February.