Piper Alderman managing partner Gordon Grieve attributed the firm's promotions in part to the difficult year many companies had in 2009. It's litigation and insolvency practice held it in good stead, he said. 

"It has been a difficult year for companies across Australia. Piper Alderman's strong litigation and insolvency practices ensured 2009 was better for our firm than for many others," Grieve said. 

"Our litigators have been advising a range of clients including dozens of local councils in the Lehman Brothers matter and out insolvency practice is growing strongly with two internal promotions to partner in the last 6 months."

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Kim Dewhurst was promoted to partner in July and Sasha Ivantsoff to a partner in the firm's dispute resolution practice in Sydney this month. 

The firm, which has 55 partners, more than 16 lawyers and 325 in total, made the promotions to cater to clients' needs in 2010. The promotions reflect clients' plans to raise capital, and begin new or postponed projects.

The firm is bolstering its team at the junior level, said Grieve, with eight new graduate lawyers nationally and a range of clerks appointed. 

Grieve said it was a credit to the firm that it is in a position to continue with its graduate programs when so many other firm have chose not to recruit at all.