A line-up of leading Asia-Pacific firms have won roles on the $8.3bn (£5.2bn) merger of the Singapore and Australian stock exchanges, reports The Am Law Daily.

The proposed takeover by Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) of ASX, Australia's main stock exchange, is set to create Asia's second largest exchange after Hong Kong. The cash-and-shares deal will add weight to Singapore's growing status as a leading international financial hub.

Australian firm Freehills is advising ASX, with Singapore firm Stamford Law advising on local law, while Clayton Utz is serving as outside counsel to SGX alongside Singapore's firm Allen & Gledhill.

The high-profile role for Clayton Utz comes after the Sydney-based firm saw the departure of 14 partners to Allen & Overy (A&O) earlier this year.

The hires saw A&O officially launch in the Australian market on 1 March this year, and the magic circle firm is currently advising copper miner Equinox Minerals on its acquisition of Citadel Resource Group for $1.2bn (£757m).

A&O corporate partners Geoff Simpson and Meredith Campion are leading a team from the firm advising the Canadian-Australian company on the deal. Simpson, the managing partner of A&O's Perth office, was one of the group who joined from Clayton Utz.

Blake Cassels & Graydon is also advising Equinox on the acquisition, fielding a team led by David Glennie, the managing partner of the Canadian firm's London office.

Citadel turned to Australian firm Minter Ellison for outside counsel.

The Am Law Daily is a blog on law.com, Legal Week's US affiliate title.