Two partners were hired in the firm’s energy and resources practice: Mark Hourigan (pictured) in Brisbane and Lorenzo Pacitti in Perth.

Caroline Ammundsen was also promoted to partner in the firm’s environment group in Brisbane, while Sarah Ross-Smith stepped up for the government team in Canberra.

In Sydney, Anita Cade was promoted in the IP, communications and media practice, while Brenton Key joined the banking and finance team as partner.

In Melbourne, Jason Cornwall-Jones stepped up for the property group, while Clare Lawrence did the same for the resources and native title group and Lionel Meehan became a partner in the restructuring and insolvency group.

Toby Grainger was promoted from senior associate to partner in the banking and finance/ corporate team based in Jakarta.

Increasing client demand in key sectors and industries, and the ability to facilitate the strategic growth of select practice areas, has driven the promotion of these 10 to the firm's partnership.

"Ashurst is committed to providing clear career paths for our people and we extend our congratulations to each of them on their appointment. I know the partnership is looking forward to the energy and fresh thinking these new partners will bring," said John Carrington, the managing partner of Ashurst in Australia.

"It will be our clients who will benefit most from these appointments as we work to build the best legal teams to service their local and global needs.”

The appointments, which take effect from 1 July, bring the total number of partners for Ashurst Australia to 190.

Ashurst has also announced it will be promoting 12 lawyers to the role of special counsel and 34 to the position of senior associate as of 1 July 2012.