King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) has strengthened its City projects, energy and resources group with the hire of two partners.

Linklaters' Beijing partner James Douglass joins the firm alongside DLA Piper projects partner Ian Wood.

Douglass, who joined Linklaters in 1998 as a partner in the global projects group, moved to Beijing in 2011 from Hong Kong to lead the development of the firm's China energy and project finance practice. His departure comes after the firm is understood to have turned down his request to return to London and follows last week's news that global energy co-head Matthew Hagopian and partner Manzer Ijaz had quit for Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy.

Douglass specialises in the energy and resources sector, advising on a range of transactions including M&A, project development and financing.

Wood meanwhile previously worked at DLA Piper's Manchester base where he founded the firm's nuclear practice. He joined the firm as an associate in 2006 and was made partner in 2009.

Neil Upton, head of KWM's London projects team, said: "The hires of James and Ian fit perfectly into our strategic objectives as a firm. Ian will help us grow one of our areas of focus, which is power, and nuclear power in a carbon-constrained world is key to this.

"James joins us to focus on oil, gas and power projects globally, with a particular emphasis on our banking clients."

Douglass added: "Joining King & Wood Mallesons was an easy decision for me as the firm's strength with Asian and particularly Chinese clients and in the energy and infrastructure sectors perfectly complements my eight years on the ground experience in Beijing and Hong Kong."

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