Kennedys has announced its annual promotions with the firm adding four lawyers to its partnership, including three in the City.

The promotions, which took effect from 1 May, see Hannah Cane and Kirsten Valder joining the partnership in the London professional indemnity practice, with Sally Morris -Smith made up in the City property team.

Outside London Patric Rouendaal has been promoted in the Birmingham professional indemnity group.

In addition to the promotions to the firm's junior partner tier, Hong Kong dispute resolution partner Mark West has been elevated from his status as a local partner to the firm's global partnership, which will see him have a greater share in the firm's equity.

The 2012 round, which takes the total number of partners at Kennedys to 155, is slightly up on last year, when the firm made up three new partners, adding two lawyers to its London partnership and one in Manchester.

Kennedys senior partner Nick Thomas (pictured) said: "These appointments demonstrate Kennedys' commitment to developing talented lawyers from within the firm. Our professional indemnity practice is already a leading force in the insurance market and we are delighted to recognise the contribution of a rising generation of stars.

"Sally joins the partnership having helped build our commercial property practice through working closely with partners and clients in London and a number of our regional offices."

Kennedys is one of the last UK top 50 outfits to release its annual promotions following a host of announcements this month, including fellow insurance firm Berrymans Lace Mawer which has made up nine new partners this year, including two in the City.