Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has enhanced its dispute resolution offering in Singapore with the addition of international arbitration partner Kent Phillips from Hogan Lovells.

A partner at Hogan Lovells since 2016, Phillips has represented multinational and domestic companies on high-value commercial disputes, particularly related to infrastructure, natural resources and energy in Southeast Asia and India.

Phillips has over 20 years of experience as an international arbitration lawyer, having been a London-based partner at Winston & Strawn and Addleshaw Goddard before relocating to Singapore in 2011 to co-chair the arbitration practice at Berwin Leighton Paisner (now Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner).

“There is increasing demand in Southeast Asia for robust disputes and international arbitration advice at all stages of proceedings, so Kent is a perfect fit for our growing practice,” said Patrick Bourke, who heads Norton Rose Fulbright’s disputes practice in Europe, Middle East and Asia.

Other international firms have also recently bulked up dispute offerings in Singapore, citing increasing client demand. U.S. law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan announced it planned to open in the city-state and relocated Hong Kong-based international arbitration partner Duncan Watson KC to head the office.

Linklaters hired NRF arbitration specialist Andrew Battisson in July. Watson Farley & Williams added a disputes partner from Herbert Smith Freehills, whose Singapore alliance firm Prolegis hired a four-lawyer disputes team from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius.