Debevoise draws Ashurst’s Asia disputes head

Ashurst’s head of disputes in Asia has moved to Debevoise & Plimpton.

Gareth Hughes has joined the US firm’s partnership, joining the litigation team in Hong Kong. He has spent more than 15 years in Hong Kong and has extensive experience in advising financial institutions on litigation and contentious regulatory investigations, Debevoise said.

“He is a lawyer with proven pedigree in Asia, and will help us continue to deliver on our promise of providing top quality, senior advice on regulatory and white-collar matters wherever our clients do business,” said Michael Blair, Debevoise presiding partner.

Lord Peter Goldsmith QC, who chairs the firm’s European and Asian litigation, said that Hughes is a great fit with the firm’s global litigation team, which he said is one of the key strengths of the firm.

“He has been advising the region’s biggest financial institutions for many years, and has been at the forefront of developing white collar and regulatory defence practices as they have evolved in Asia,” he said.

Hong Kong-based partner Mark Johnson said that the firm’s clients in Asia, particularly those in the financial services sector, are working in an increasingly complex regulatory and enforcement environment.

“Adding a lawyer of Gareth’s calibre to our team gives further senior experience to the practice, helping us to strengthen our practice at a time when our clients most need it,” Johnson said.