Blake Dawson is set to launch an Asian employment practice with a partner hire from Australian rival Freehills.

Employment partner George Cooper will join Blake Dawson's Singapore office from mid-October, and will head up the new employment practice across Asia.

Cooper joins from Freehills' Singapore base, where he has led the firm's Asian workplace law and advisory practice since 2007. He specialises in cross-border employment matters, contract and policy reviews, termination and transfer issues and workplace risk management.

His appointment comes as the the 'big six' Australian firm, which outside of Australia has offices in Singapore, Shangahai, Tokyo and Port Moresby, looks to strengthen its regional presence in Asia.

National employment head Richard Bunting commented: "[George] is an experienced and well-credentialled practitioner in Singapore and the surrounding region. His addition to our existing employment practice allows us to offer on-the-ground employment law services in the region to clients both within Australia and throughout Asia."

The practice launch comes ahead of a potential tie-up which could see Blake Dawson's Asian operations outside Australia merge with UK firm Ashurst's offices in the region.

Ashurst's partners received a document earlier this month confirming details of the proposed joint venture, which could nearly double the firm's Asian partner count. A vote on the tie-up is expected to take place in the coming weeks.