Holman Fenwick Willan has hired a Blake Dawson partner in a boost for the UK law firm's corporate and projects practice in Singapore.

James Donoghue will join Holman Fenwick from the Australian leader's Jakarta office on 1 May. Donoghue, whose practice focuses on the energy and resources sector, has been involved in many of the electricity privatisation programmes in Australia, including taking a lead role in advising Queensland Government-owned Tarong Energy on its joint venture with Mitsui and the Tokyo Electric Power Company on the Tarong North Power Station.

He said: "I am very pleased to join an office with a team of lawyers with such long-term experience in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. Indonesia is now the largest thermal coke exporter in the world and, with increasing demand for coal coming from India and China, the opportunities are extensive."

Holman Fenwick Singapore managing partner Simon Davison said: "James' significant experience in the energy and resources sector, combined with our already large practice in this area, will prove a powerful asset for clients."

Holman Fenwick's Asia-Pacific practice brought in £24.3m in fee income during the 2008-09 financial year.