Chapman Tripp has appointed six new principals and six new senior solicitors. The move comes despite the global financial crisis leaving many major law firms with little choice but to retrench staff.

When asked about the appointments, managing partner Andrew Poole said "We thought hard about it, but decided it was important to promote people who meet the criteria regardless of the economic circumstances."

The newly appointed principals are Chris Dann (corporate & commercial), Matthew Ockleston (property & construction), Cathryn Barber and Jarrod Walker (finance), and James Burt and Justin Graham (litigation). The new senior solicitors are Joanna Bain (environment), Angela Foster (investment), Jo Ritchie (corporate & commercial), Anne Shirley (employment), Jennifer Tunna (finance), and Marie Wisker (litigation).

So far there have been no pay rises for promoted staff, but the firm has not implemented a salary freeze - a move that national Australian firms Corrs, Mallesons, Clayton Utz, Allens and Freehills have resorted to. Chapman Tripp's salaries are reviewed annually in December according to Poole.