Latham & Watkins' former City head David Miles is to relocate to Hong Kong at the beginning of next year, as the firm moves to build up its Asia practice.

Miles, a banking partner, led Latham's London office until early 2006 when he took up a post on the US law firm's executive committee. He was replaced by outsourcing partner Andrew Moyle as London head.

Miles is one of seven partners on Latham's global executive and is the member responsible for the firm's strategy in Asia. Latham has around six partners and 30 lawyers in Hong Kong.

Miles' relocation comes after the September move of finance partner Bill Voge to London from New York. Voge, who is also on the executive committee, looks after Latham's Middle Eastern strategy.

The firm is in the process of ramping up its Middle East presence and is preparing to transfer a number of staff to Doha. The office has so far been staffed with only a counsel but will gain five more lawyers in the new year – including Frankfurt-based banking partner Philipp von Randow.

At the same time the firm announced that former London corporate head Bryant Edwards, now based in Dubai, replaces Rindala Beydoun heading Latham's Middle East practice. Beydoun becomes head of M&A in the region.

Latham announced a three-centre Middle East launch in February this year.

Commenting on the move, Edwards said: "Qatar has been very active this year. We have had a lot of work generated there and we are moving in response to client demand for lawyers on the ground. The Middle East is a hard place from a managing point of view, but we think it will all pay off."

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