Japanese law firm Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is the frontrunner for the ALB Japan Law Awards 2013 with a total of 35 nominations, while Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has grabbed 27.

Tilleke & Gibbins has hired American lawyer Jim Dao to its corporate /commercial team in Vietnam from the Ho Chi Minh City office of Mayer Brown JSM.

Discontent relating to the Freehills merger is one reason for an exodus at Herbert Smith’s disputes practice, according to a report from a UK legal publication.

Bird & Bird has hired Leo Fattorini as a partner in its international aviation group in Singapore, as it looks to expand its regional aviation practice. Fattorini joins from Virgin Atlantic, where he held an in-house role.

India’s HSA Advocates has elevated Harvinder Singh to partnership in the firm’s corporate M&A practice group, apart from promoting two attorneys to associate partner, and four others to senior associate level.

Singapore Big Four firm WongPartnership has departed from its earlier management structure that had Rachel Eng as the sole managing partner, naming Eng and Ng Wai King as its joint managing partners.

Eversheds has named arbitration expert Oommen Mathew as managing director of its Singapore office, as the firm seeks to restructure its management team in Asia.

RHTLaw Taylor Wessing has appointed Richard Tan as a partner in its Corporate and Securities practice in Singapore. Tan joins from Colin Ng & Partners.

Four firms star in equity share sale by SAIL, JSA and HSA advise Amplus Infrastructure Developers on its acquisition of VRL Logistics, Norton Rose guides PT Arpeni Pratama Ocean Line on its debt restructuring, and much more in this week’s Southeast Asia deals roundup.

HWL Ebsworth has today announced the recruitment of a building & construction and property team in the Sydney office. The team was previously at Herbert Geer.