Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom has launched an Asian international arbitration and litigation practice with senior lawyers relocated from London to Hong Kong.

The practice will be led by Paul Mitchard QC (pictured), a veteran arbitration specialist who has represented numerous multinational corporations in international commercial matters, particularly in the energy and financial services industries.

Counsel Mark Mangan and associate Calvin Chan will also relocate from London to Hong Kong to join the international arbitration and litigation group. The firm has also recruited associate Alan Tsang for the group from the local arm of Pinsent Masons.

Mitchard, who in 2008 became one of only a handful of UK solicitors to win QC status – typically only handed to barristers – has been a key figure in Skadden's arbitration practice in Europe. He joined as a partner in 2001 from the firm then known as Wilmer Cutler & Pickering. Mitchard was also previously head of international arbitration for UK firm Simmons & Simmons.

Mitchard will continue to also lead Skadden's European international arbitration and litigation practice out of Hong Kong.

The economic downturn has drawn greater attention to Asian disputes practices, with international law firms looking to tackle matters touching on insolvency and financial regulation in the region.

The move also underlines a push into the foreign arbitration market from the New York-based Skadden, which this year made a rare lateral hire in London with the appointment of David Kavanagh from O'Melveny & Myers.

In a separate move, Skadden has also added a M&A and finance partner to its Singapore office. Rajeev Duggal was formerly general counsel for Citi's Asia retail business, based in Singapore. He also previously worked for the bank in New York as deputy co-head of the M&A legal department. Prior to joining Citi, Duggal was a counsel in Skadden's Singapore branch.