Paul Hastings has appointed real estate partner Derek Roth as the new head of its Hong Kong office, following the departure of 10-year veteran Neil Torpey.

Roth, who was vice chair for two years and whose focus is on real estate private equity transactions and joint ventures, assumed the role of Hong Kong office chair at the beginning of the month, following Torpey's decision to step down from the role.

He will continue to focus on his real estate practice and on US, Asian, and cross-border commercial transactions alongside his management responsibilities.

Torpey joined Paul Hastings in 1990 from now-defunct US firm Mudge Rose, before moving to Hong Kong in 2002 and becoming Hong Kong office chair a year later. He has played a key role in the branch's development in Asia, representing banking, real estate and other financial services clients.

Recent key roles he has taken have included advising various affiliates of Lehman Brothers in connection with the restructuring and liquidation of investments in Southeast Asia, and acting for China based financial services company Far East Horizon on its $371m (£237m) share placement in Hong Kong.

Torpey will now relocate to the firm's New York base, where he will join the firm's corporate practice.

The news comes after Paul Hastings confirmed it is considering looking at a launch in Singapore to build on its existing five-office Asia practice. The US firm launched in Seoul last November.