Kobre & Kim has opened an office in San Francisco with the hire of intellectual property partner Michael Ng from local disputes firm Kerr & Wagstaffe.

Ng joins the US litigation boutique to lead the office and expand its IP practice in the city.

He represents both plaintiffs and defendants, and has previously led on a mix patent cases, trademark, trade dress, copyright and trade secret matters, as well as related licensing and royalty disputes.

In a statement the firm said the new base – its eighth globally – would provide clients with an additional bridge into Asia.

It said the team would work closely with the Hong Kong solicitors in particular, and on cross-border civil and regulatory matters.

The firm first opened its Hong Kong office in 2010 but launched a local law practice in October with the hire of Randall Arhur from the regional outfit Gall.

The focus in the city is currently on insolvency, judgment enforcement and debtor-creditor disputes.