Australian law firm Gadens has launched an office in Singapore with the hire of Clifford Chance (CC) energy and resources counsel Marc Rathbone to lead the new base.

Rathbone was appointed managing partner of the office at the beginning of January, when it officially opened.

He was previously based in CC's Singapore office, and specialises in corporate and projects work within the energy and resources sector.

He is joined by a team of associates, and Gadens commercial property partner Laresa Koscharsky, who has relocated to Singapore from the firm's Sydney office. Gadens is currently looking to expand the Singapore team, and is expected to move into new practice areas.

Gadens, which has seven offices across Australia, also has a base in Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby.

Singapore has been a hotspot for international firms in recent months, with Simmons & Simmons and Paul Hastings announcing plans to start up in the city last year.

Also targeting the market are UK magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and US outfit Morrison & Foerster, both of which have recently relaunched Singapore offices after closing during the global financial crisis.

Australian firms with a presence there include Allens, which recently formed an alliance with UK firm Linklaters, and Blake Dawson through its joint venture partner in Asia, Ashurst.