Singapore boutique PDLegal has hired disputes expert Cathryn Neo as a partner in the firm’s international arbitration and China practices from Ashurst ADTLaw, where she was a senior associate.

UK firm RPC is looking to make inroads into Korea after hiring Peter Kwon as a partner in Hong Kong from Ashurst, where he was that firm’s Korea practice co-head.

UK firm Ashurst has strengthened its global markets practice with the hire of Jessica Li as a partner in Hong Kong from Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy, where she was a counsel.

UK firm Ashurst has hired Alexander Dmitrenko as a partner in Tokyo from Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, where he was head of Asia sanctions.

Latham & Watkins is advising Charoen Pokphand Foods (CP Foods) on the proposed privatisation of its Hong Kong-listed arm, CP Pokphand (CPP), with Ashurst advising a shareholder, Japan’s Itochu.

This year, Ashurst joined the cohort of law firms establishing consulting businesses, citing client demand for legal-led consultancy services. Jamie Ng, global head of Ashurst Consulting, says the operation has already experienced rapid growth as it looks to reimagine the business of law.

Oentoeng Suria & Partners (OSP), Ashurst’s associate firm in Indonesia, has hired Dion Alfadya as a partner in Jakarta from Ginting & Reksodiputro, which operates in association with Allen & Overy.

Norton Rose Fulbright has recruited Andrew Digges as a partner in Singapore from Ashurst.

Skadden has advised Malaysian telecommunications conglomerate Axiata Group on the $15 billion merger of its mobile subsidiary Axiata with rival Digi.com, which was represented by Ashurst. Allen & Overy advised Digi’s parent company, Norway’s Telenor.

UK firm Ashurst has hired Robert Child as a partner in its restructuring, insolvency and special situations practice in Singapore from Clifford Chance, where he practiced for more than a decade.