Hong Kong law firm Deacons has hired Baker & McKenzie lawyer Travis Benjamin to lead its tax practice.

Benjamin, who will join 54 partners at the firm, will head the tax group across the firm's four offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Previously a counsel with Baker & McKenzie in Hong Kong for seven and half years, Benjamin has extensive experience in international tax planning and tax controversy work in the context of fund formation, M&A and restructuring, and capital markets transactions.

Prior to Bakers he worked at KPMG's tax departments in Hong Kong and Melbourne for four years, overseeing tax planning advisory and policy work in Asia for multinational corporations, industry associations and governments.

Joining Deacons as a registered foreign lawyer, he will focus on international tax planning, transfer pricing, tax dispute resolution and wealth management.

As well as advising on corporate and finance deals, he will also oversee tax issues in relation to intellectual property exploitation and employee remuneration planning in Hong Kong and across Asia.

His appointment is the second hire for Deacons this month, following the recent appointment of capital markets partner Kevin Tong from King & Wood Mallesons.

In a statement, the firm said the addition of Tong was a direct result of client demand and  increasing requests for specialist debt capital markets expertise in Hong Kong and China.

The firm now counts 250 lawyers across 20 practice areas.