LG has made its first Singapore lateral hire since launching in the region last spring, as the firm sets out growth plans for the office.

Ogier partner and British Virgin Islands (BVI) private client head Zac Lucas will join LG in Singapore in February next year. He has been at the offshore firm since 2010 and is qualified in both BVI and UK law.

He will be LG's second permanent partner on the ground in Singapore alongside former senior partner Penny Francis. Private client partner Nick Jacob also splits his time between London and Singapore.

The hire comes as part of LG's plans to grow its private client and corporate offering in the region, with a view to also moving into dispute resolution in Singapore in due time.

LG senior partner Andrew Witts said: "Zac provides us with additional private client strength on the ground in Singapore as we look to grow our private client practice significantly over the next year.

"Our Singapore office has started very successfully and we will be looking to take advantage of this and move into other practices and areas in the region over the coming months."

LG launched its Singapore office in alliance with local outfit PK Wong and Associates in May this year. The office marked LG's fifth alongside London, Dubai, Moscow and Monaco.

The news comes after the firm held its annual partner conference last month, with partners from its new Brazilian alliance firm Motta Fernandes Rocha Advogados attending for the first time.

LG secured an association with the local Brazilian firm in June this year giving it access to a total of 70 local lawyers – including 40 partners – across two offices in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

For more, see LG and Withers target high net clients with Singapore launches.