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.