Gibson Dunn & Crutcher has hired Hogan Lovells' energy head for South East Asia Brad Roach in its first move to bolster the number of partners in the region since receiving a Qualifying Foreign Law Practice (QFLP) licence in February.

The Los Angeles head-quartered firm, which previously said it would look to supplement its existing M&A, energy and infrastructure practices in Singapore, as well as adding arbitration to its offering, now counts four partners in the island city-state in addition to 12 legal staff.

Roach, who has been based in Singapore since 1996 and has more than 18 years of experience in energy, infrastructure and project finance in Asia, is Gibson Dunn's first hire since receiving the QFLP licence earlier this year along with three other international firms Linklaters, Jones Day and Sidley Austin.

Recognised as a specialist in oil and gas, advising mostly exploration and production companies on corporate acquisitions and projects, Roach is a key hire for the firm, expected to add to its corporate and infrastructure capabilities in Singapore and South East Asia generally.

The former head of Hogan Lovells' South East Asia energy practice; he also previously did a two-year stint at White & Case's Singapore office and spent eight years as counsel at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.

Recent big mandates Roach has advised on include the development and financing of a $2.8bn, 2.1m tonne LNG project in Indonesia by PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk, and a deal between Murphy Oil Corporation, PetroVietnam and PVEP relating to production sharing contracts in Vietnam and Equatorial Guinea.

"Asia, and Indonesia especially, is poised for significant investments in energy and infrastructure," said Gibson Dunn's Singapore office head Jai Pathak.

"Given his extensive experience in the area, Brad will be an invaluable asset to our clients and help us take our regional and firmwide energy practice to the next level."

Gibson Dunn first opened its Singapore office in 2008 with the hire of three partners from US rival Jones Day.

The firm, which currently has three Asian offices located in Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing, recently appointed Kelly Austin as its new Hong Kong head following the relocation of Joseph Barbeau to China where he is tasked with growing the firm's regional practice.