UK law firm Ashurst has hired projects lawyer Tom Wilson as special counsel in Tokyo from Asian Development Bank, where he held an in-house role. Wilson will become a partner once the necessary regulatory approvals are received.

Wilson is Ashurst’s first partner-level lateral hire in Tokyo since it added Alexander Dmitrenko, the former head of Asia sanctions at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, in November last year.

With more than 14 years of experience in cross-border transactional project development and finance with PPP in the Asia-Pacific region, Wilson has advised the governments Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Palau, Pakistan and the Philippines on PPPs in sector such as LNG infrastructure, renewables, utilities, transport and social infrastructure.

At ADB, he also led the review and amendment of PPP laws and supporting regulations in various jurisdictions on behalf of the bank. Prior to joining ADB, Wilson worked for Latham & Watkins and White & Case in Tokyo.

Once Wilson becomes a partner, Ashurst will have five partners in Tokyo.