Minter Ellison has promoted Benjamin Smith to partner as he returns from a six-month secondment as head of legal - projects with Qantas Airways Limited.

Smith has been made a partner in Sydney, effective 1 January 2012, in Minters' corporate team.

Smith has experience in public and private M&A transactions across a range of industries, including aviation, energy and resources, food and beverages and travel.

His public M&A expertise includes advising on listed company takeovers (friendly and hostile) and schemes of arrangement. His practice also includes private treaty acquisitions and disposals, auction sales and joint venture arrangements.