Shearman & Sterling has launched a global nuclear power practice with the hire of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman's international nuclear group head George Borovas in Tokyo.

The US firm, which last month hired Allens' oil and gas leader for Asia and Australia, Anthony Patten, said it was investing in its projects group globally in a bid to tap new opportunities.

"We are definitely growing the projects practice generally," said Bill McCormack, global practice head.

"There is a lot of support within the firm to grow the business – it's well-regarded globally and less susceptible to volatility."

He added that few firms had invested in the nuclear sector specifically, which was set to generate more work.

 think that the opportunities in the nuclear space are going to be significant. There seems to be a movement by Japanese manufacturers to an export driven business – it's an outbound story. There are number of projects going on in places like Vietnam, Turkey, Abu Dhabi and the UK.

"It's not limited to Japan outbound but there are many Japanese banks involved in the financing too, so having George in Tokyo makes sense."

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Borovas was a chemical engineer for a power plant engineering firm.

He joined Pillsbury in 2002 and has since advised governments on the development of their civilian nuclear power programs and a mix of clients on project development and financings. He has worked on projects around Asia, Australia, the Middle East, South Africa and Europe.

Shearman's recent investment in the projects team globally include the promotion of Abu Dhabi lawyer Robin Bayley to partner in December and the re-hire of Middle East projects partner Marwan Elaraby from Citadel Capital in September.

In January, the firm also recruited project finance and private equity partner Bob Nelson from Akin Gump in San Francisco and oil and gas specialist Anthony Patten from Allens in Singapore.

Patten joined the firm's global practice head Bill McCormack in the city and projects partner Ben Shorten, who recently relocated to the office from London.

The firm now has a total of nine projects partners across Asia; three in Singapore, two in Tokyo, one in Shanghai and three in Abu Dhabi.

Key markets for energy and projects work also include Indonesia, Malaysia and Korea, but McCormack said the firm is currently servicing those countries from its existing offices.

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