Allen & Overy (A&O) has moved to rebuild its Hong Kong banking practice with the relocation of City partner Ian Powell to the office.

The transfer comes after A&O last month saw the departure of Hong Kong finance partner Ashley Young to Kirland & Ellis's local office. Young is moving to the US firm alongside senior associate Douglas Murning, who is joining as a partner.

Powell made partner at A&O in 2000 and has since worked in a number of the magic circle firm's offices, including spending several years in Amsterdam and Frankfurt. He is a senior member of the A&O partnership, having also been a board member from 2006 until last year.

His practice focuses on leveraged finance and real estate finance, as well as corporate syndicated lending and large restructurings.

A&O Asia-Pacific managing partner Thomas Brown said: "Asia-Pacific is a key growth region for our global banking practice and Hong Kong is one of the main financial centres. It's clear that Asia's financing needs will increase as its economies continue to expand in the coming years."

"Adding Ian to our Hong Kong practice will help us continue to lead the investment grade and leveraged finance market in the region."

A&O's Hong Kong office was the first in Asia for the firm alongside Tokyo, with the two bases opening in August 1988. It currently has around a dozen finance partners.

Kirkland's recent hires from A&O came as part of an eight-partner team hire for the US firm, alongside laterals from Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Latham & Watkins.