Minter Ellison has appointed corporate partner Bruce Cowley as its new chairman following competition partner Russell Miller's decision to step down from the role.

Cowley, who has been elected unanimously by the firm, is a senior corporate lawyer and currently chair of the firm's Brisbane office. He will assume the new position on 1 July.

Cowley, who has been at Minters for 32 years, making partner in 1987, has been instrumental in steering the firm's growth in Australia.

Miller, who has served two terms as chairman totalling four years, will resume his role as a member of firm's Australasian competition group.

He commented: "I'm pleased that Bruce will succeed me as chair. In addition to being one of the leading partners in the firm for many years, Bruce has strong credentials both within Minter Ellison and on external boards."

Under Miller's stewardship, Minter Ellison has sought to grow its presence in Asia, both by setting up new offices and making strategic hires.

In 2010 the firm opened its second office in Beijing to boost its Greater China offering, followed by a base in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia last February and an office in Perth, Western Australia, last July.

Recent hires have included the November appointment of finance partner James Mok in Sydney from King & Wood Mallesons, and the recruitment last August of ex-Cameron McKenna construction specialist Henry Sherman in Hong Kong.