US-based law firm hires rival company's lawyers to lead its restructuring division in Hong Kong.

DLA Piper, the US-headquartered law firm, has bolstered its Hong Kong practise with a new hire.

Mark Fairbairn has been appointed head of restructuring for Asia, based in Hong Kong. Fairbairn joins from O'Melveny & Myers and will focus on distressed and alternative investments, financial restructurings, as well as insolvency matters. He is joined by Ashely Bell, also from O'Melveny, who was named of counsel in the restructuring division. 

The appointment comes shortly after Timothy Tan, another O'Melveny & Myers lawyer, entered DLA Piper's Bangkok office as a partner. 

DLA Piper's Asia-Pacific offices are located in Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.