O'Melveny & Myers has agreed a formal association with Indonesian law firm Tumbuan & Partners, with Singapore finance partner Joel Hogarth relocating to Jakarta to manage the relationship.

The association will focus on high-end corporate, finance and capital markets work. O'Melveny senior counsel Ratih Nawangsari, who is currently also based in Singapore, will also now spend part of her her time based in Jakarta.

Singapore managing partner and restructuring practitioner Bertie Mehigan will also be involved in co-ordinating the association, but will remain based in Singapore and will focus on the firm's overall efforts in Southeast Asia.

The association builds on a longstanding referral relationship between O'Melveny and Tumbuan, which is led by senior partner Fred Tumbuan – who is regularly involved in the drafting of Indonesia's commercial legislation and serves as an adviser to the Indonesian Government – and his daughter Jennifer.

O'Melveny's global chairman Arthur Culvahouse commented: "A presence in Indonesia complements our strengths in Asia and firmwide, and better positions us to serve the needs of our global clients in the important Southeast Asia region. Indonesia is becoming an increasingly important market for many of our clients."

Mehigan added: "Having Joel – one of our most dynamic and successful partners – on the ground in Jakarta makes our association unique."

The US firm has existing Asia bases in Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.