Sidley Austin has taken steps to expand its global energy practice in Asia with the hire of Simmons & Simmons partner Tom Deegan in Hong Kong.

Deegan, who has 20 years' corporate experience with a focus on energy and natural resources, will be the US firm's first energy lawyer in the region. His work at the firm is expected to centre around cross-border deals from India, China, Japan and the US. 

Deegan, who is currently based in Simmons' Hong Kong office, has taken roles on deals include Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC's) $450m (£294m)acquisition of 50% of Omimex de Colombia, while he also advised China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) on the acquisition of its share in the North West Shelf LNG Project and  a 25-year joint venture worth $625m (£408m).

Prior to joining Simmons in 2007, he also worked in Tokyo, the Middle East and the UK.

"This was a natural expansion opportunity for us out here," said Thomas Albrecht, Sidley's managing partner for Asia. "We have developed a significant US energy practice which we have always intended to be more global. Tom is the first step towards achieving that.

Jim Rice, an energy partner in Sidley's Houston, Texas office and co-coordinator of the firm's energy practice, added: "Given the recent and continuing boom in the production of natural gas and oil from shale formation the US, which will support potential LNG export projects, the timing of Tom's arrival is perfect as he can help us advise clients looking to capitalise on the opportunities this creates."

Sidley currently has six offices in the Asia-Pacific region in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.

The US outfit was among four firms to be recently awarded a Singapore Qualifying Foreign Law Practice Licence (QFLP), and has since made moves to strengthen local offering.

Last month, the firm hired Clifford Chance (CC) funds partner Han Ming Ho – the first local recruit to join the firm since the QFLP licence was awarded – to serve as co-head of the Asia investment funds practice alongside Hong Kong-based partner Effie Vasilopoulos.

Sidley is also looking to grow its capabilities in life sciences, energy and infrastructure. Albrecht said the firm is not currently planning on any new offices, but is keeping a close eye on markets such as Korea and Indonesia.