Paul Hastings Janofsky & Walker has strengthened its Asia practice with the hire of three new partners in Japan and Hong Kong, the Los Angeles-based law firm announced today (19 September).

Baker & McKenzie project finance partner David Vance and Latham & Watkins finance counsel Joseph Kim both join Paul Hastings' Tokyo office as partners.

The firm's Japanese base has both US and local-law capability, having secured a merger with Tokyo firm Taiyo Law Office five years ago.

Meanwhile, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom corporate counsel Patricia Tan Openshaw has joined Paul Hastings' Hong Kong office as a partner.

Commenting on the appointments, Paul Hastings global corporate head Robert Miller said: "The continued growth of our Asia practice is a top priority for the firm."

Paul Hastings now around 140 lawyers in Asia, across offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.