Slaughter and May is mulling adding US law capability to its Hong Kong office, after a spate of US firms launched local practices in the region.

The magic circle firm is considering whether to hire US-qualified lawyers for its Asia base – a move which would involve lateral partner hires and would represent a break from the firm's traditional strategy of organic growth.

The plans come in response to a number of US law firms opening local law practices in Hong Kong and London in recent months, with Davis Polk & Wardwell, previously a close referral partner of Slaughters, launching in the City in January this year after starting a Hong Kong law practice in 2010.

Slaughters is also keeping the possibility of re-opening its Singapore office under review, though it is not being actively considered at present. A number of partners would like to see the firm return to the country, which it exited in 2004.

Slaughters practice partner Paul Olney said: "With the current changes going on in the market we do look at our strategic options regularly and whether we should build US capability in Hong Kong is one of these. However, it is not something we have reached any firm decision on."

Other US firms to have launched local law capability in Hong Kong in recent years include Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, Shearman & Sterling, Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton.

The news comes after a number of firms have taken steps to protect market share in Asia, with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer opting to break from lockstep and allow new partners to be promoted more quickly in the region in some instances over the last year.