Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has opened an office in Hong Kong with two attorneys leading the effort. Kelly Austin has joined the firm as a partner from General Electric Co., where she was Asia compliance and litigation counsel. The firm also is relocating partner Joseph Barbeau to Hong Kong from its Palo Alto office.

Austin has been based in Hong Kong since 2001. She previously advised GE's Asian business units on government investigations, compliance matters, and litigation. Her mandate now is to launch a practice focused on litigation and regulatory compliance in the region for her new firm.

Gibson Dunn's decision to open in Hong Kong with such a practice reflects the growing belief among international firms that litigation groups in Asia are set to take off. Over the past few weeks, Latham & Watkins launched a Hong Kong litigation practice and top Australian firm Mallesons Stephen Jacques recruited a senior Clifford Chance litigation partner to its Hong Kong office.