King & Wood Mallesons has promoted 38 new partners globally in this year's three regional promotions rounds

King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has promoted 12 lawyers to its Australian partnership, the largest number to be made up in the last five years.

Last year the firm promoted six in its Australia business.

Broken down by practice area banking and finance and projects and real estate have seen the largest number made up with four new partners in each.

M&A and private equity has three new partners while dispute resolution has just one. Five of the promotions have gone to women making up 42% of the round. All promotions are effective from 1 July.

KWM Australia chairman Stephen Minns said, "These partners represent the next generation of leaders of our firm. In addition to their technical and commercial skills they have deep sectoral knowledge and well-established client relationships that will help drive KWM's next phase of growth."

The Australian promotions complete the firm's global promotions round of 38 new partners, with 20 partners promoted in China (with effect from 1 April) and six in Europe, the US and the Middle East (with effect from 1 May).

The firm has promoted two more partners than last year, which saw only two made up in Europe. As with this year the majority of KWM's 2015 promotions went to China-based lawyers with a total of 24 made up in the country across six cities.

King & Wood Mallesons Australia partner promotions in full

Jo Dodd, banking and finance – Sydney Chris Dynon, banking and finance – Melbourne John Eagleton, banking and finance – Sydney Elizabeth Hundt Russell, banking and finance – Sydney Shannon Etwell, projects and real estate – Brisbane Rebecca Finkelstein, projects and real estate – Sydney Emily Masters, projects and real estate – Melbourne Rod Smythe, projects and real estate – Sydney Matthew Coull, M&A and private equity – Sydney Annabel Griffin, M&A and private equity – Canberra Henrik Moritz, M&A and private equity – Sydney James Wang, dispute resolution – Perth