Dechert is looking to open in Shanghai and Singapore as part of a new pan-Asian growth strategy.  

The firm has obtained a licence to practise in Shanghai, with Basil Hwang, the US firm's managing partner in Hong Kong and founder of its Asia practice, now on the look out to bring in new partners to lead the offices before opening. 

Hwang said he wanted to bring in a partner with a pre-existing team to launch in the city: "Our approach to office opening has always been: can we find an individual around which to build an office, and is there a practice group within the firm that would take the lead in starting that office off?

"We've been in discussions with several candidates. We're also watching very closely what's happening in Shanghai with the free trade zone."

In Singapore (pictured), the firm is targeting a partner with a strong arbitration or investment funds practice around whom it can build in the jurisdiction.

Dechert opened its first Asian office in Hong Kong in 2007 with a focus on corporate and securities work. It launched a second office in Beijing in 2008.

It currently has two partners in the Chinese capital: corporate lawyer Paul Wang and arbitration expert Jingzhou Tao, as well as six partners in Hong Kong where it is also looking to grow its disputes practice.

"Our Asian practice revolves around corporate, financial services, white collar litigation and arbitration," added Hwang. "In Hong Kong we are in the process of bringing on board additional senior capability, including in litigation as well as other areas."