Kobre & Kim, the law firm focusing on cross-border disputes, has opened an office in the Cayman Islands to support rising client demand, particularly in Asia.

James Corbett QC will head the office in the Caymans. He said, “This was a logical next step for our firm given our extensive involvement in company and investment fund disputes arising in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The Cayman Islands are a leading jurisdiction for high-stakes financial and insolvency disputes.”

Kobre & Kim anticipates that Asian-based clients will increasingly require legal counsel on offshore jurisdictions, such as the British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands.

Hong Kong Partner William McGovern said, “China investment in the US is up over 400 per cent since 2008 and Chinese companies frequently use Cayman and BVI structures to carry out those investments. There was great demand for a Hong Kong-based litigation team with native language ability and reach into the Caymans and BVI.”

Separately, Kobre & Kim has added four lawyers to its Hong Kong business. A spokesperson could not immediately confirm their names, but said they are US- and English-qualified litigators with native language ability in Mandarin and Korean. The firm plans to continue the headcount expansion in Hong Kong during the second half of 2012.