Hammonds' former Hong Kong arm is set to join SNR Denton to launch the firm's first China base.

The six-partner office, which has 20 staff in total, will become associated with SNR Denton once the tie-up receives regulatory approval, and will initially be known as Brandt Chan & Partners.

The firm will then apply to change the name to SNR Denton, with the office becoming fully integrated into SNR Denton's Swiss Verein structure.

The move comes after the office's partners told Hammonds' management in late November that they intended to split off from the firm in the wake of its transatlantic merger agreement with Squire Sanders & Dempsey, which went live on 1 January.

Dispute resolution partner Keith Brandt and corporate and projects partner Anthony Chan will lead the office. They will both become equity partners with the latter becoming a member of the firm's board.

Fellow partners Valda Chan, who specialises in Chinese M&A, Jeffrey Cheung (private equity), Julianne Doe (capital markets) and Mary Thomson (maritime, insurance and litigation) are also making the move, joining as junior partners.

Brandt said: "We see this as a fantastic time to join a growing global firm, and we are excited to both continue that growth for our new firm in Asia, while together further deepening our regional presence."

Co-chief executive Howard Morris commented: "Opening in Hong Kong allows us to broaden and deepen the resources and expertise available to our clients. We are excited to add Hong Kong as it is a natural fit with our other locations in prominent business centres, such as New York and London, and offers our clients access to dynamic emerging economies."

"This move comes in response to existing unsatisfied client demand. Our clients do business in Hong Kong and PRC and until now we have not been able to offer a service there, meaning fees have been left on the table for other firms to pick up – we don't want to do that anymore."

SNR Denton currently has an office in Singapore and is also intending to open an office in mainland China in 2011.

Squire Sanders still has a presence in Hong Kong through the US firm's existing four-partner, 11-lawyer office.