K&L Gates has boosted its Singapore office with the hire of Watson Farley & Williams Singapore litigation and arbitration head Raja Bose.

Bose will take up a management position at the expansive US firm, heading the international arbitration practice across Asia as well as launching the practice in Singapore.

K&L Gates opened in Singapore in March with the hire of DLA Piper partner Kevin Murphy.

Bose has practised in Singapore since 2000, having joined Watson Farley's London base in 1999. Dual-qualified in the UK and Singapore, he advises on commercial arbitration and international litigation, with a particular focus on the transport, corporate and commercial and construction and engineering sectors.

Commenting on the move, he said: "The opportunity to introduce my clients to the firm's global platform and to work with existing clients of the firm – as well as the other talented lawyers in the firm's international arbitration practice – is very exciting."

K&L Gates Asia managing partner David Tang added: "The addition of Raja to our Singapore office is further evidence of K&L Gates' strong commitment to Asia and our confidence in the continuing growth and development of the region."

K&L Gates opened its first Asian office in 1996 and has since added bases in Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei. This year the firm also expanded to the Middle East with the launch of a Dubai base in June.

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