Sidley Austin is to open in Australia after hiring the managing partner of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman's Sydney office, Bob Meyers, to lead the venture.

The office, due to open on 1 May, will be Sidley's sixth office in the Asia Pacific region, alongside bases in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore.

Meyers, who is US qualified, advises Australian, New Zealand and US companies and investment banks on stock market listings, M&A and structured finance. He will join Sidley's corporate finance and capital markets practice.

Tom Cole, who chairs Sidley's executive committee, said: "Our decision to open an office in Sydney and the recruitment of Meyers demonstrate our commitment to serving our clients throughout the world."

Tom Albrecht, the executive and management committee member responsible for international operations, added: "Given the increased sophistication and number of transactions that have been originated in the Australian market, we believe that it is now time for us to establish a local presence, and we are very fortunate to have a lawyer with Bob's skills and reputation join us."