Australian firms Minter Ellison and Corrs Chambers Westgarth have made up four and five lawyers respectively in their annual partnership promotion rounds, with each firm including an appointment of a China specialist.

Taking effect 1 July, Minters added four new lawyers to its partnership ranks in 2013 down from five in 2012, whilst Corrs promoted five associates, up from three last year.

At Minters, the promotions included three Melbourne lawyers; Greg Carfoot, Shelley Werner and Cameron Ross; with Carfoot and Werner specialising in dispute resolution in insurance and corporate risk, and Ross working in the firm's construction, engineering and infrastructure practice.

In Hong Kong it made up corporate specialist Geraldine Johns-Putra, marking the second year running that the firm has promoted a lawyer in the North Asian financial hub. It brings the total number of partners at the firm's financially integrated offices to 189.

Focusing on China cross-border M&A and private equity deals, Johns-Putra advises on foreign investments in the financial and industrial sectors in China, with her expertise spanning a broad range of sectors.

She has also dealt widely in intellectual property matters in the country, advising on the IP aspects of corporate transactions such as technology transfers, licensing and due diligence.

Corrs' promotions were all in Australia, but with one corporate lawyer, Lizzie Knight, having a China focus from Sydney. This is the first time the firm has promoted a China specialist in the last two years.

Well known for her work in cross-border M&A, and particularly inbound investment, she has advised on some of the largest investments in the Australian energy and resources sector, including Minmetals' acquisition of OZ Minerals' assets and PetroChina's joint venture with Shell to acquire Arrow.

The other Corrs promotions included Sydney corporate specialist Jaclyn Riley-Smith, Brisbane construction lawyers Matthew Muir and Andrew McCormack, and litigator David Yates in Perth, bringing the total number of partners at the firm to 123.

Corrs also appointed seven new special counsel and made 36 promotions at associate level, recognising the achievements of its young and mid-level professionals.

The appointments come in spite of Australia's legal market taking a turn for the worst in the last six months, forcing some firms to make staff cuts and put a freeze on new hires.

John Weber, the chief executive partner for Minters, said his firm's promotions reflected the firm's commitment to continue to invest in the future of the business.

"We are bringing great talent into the partnership and rewarding outstanding contributions of staff. These appointments will assist in positioning the firm for the future."