Thorp Alberga, the Cayman Islands boutique law firm, has appointed two partners to lead its new office in Hong Kong.

Richard Thorp and Harriet Unger, who both join from Maples and Calder, are authorised by the Law Society of Hong Kong to practise both in Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands. Thorp specialises in securities and funds, while Unger covers structured finance, specialising in capital markets transactions.

"This new boutique law firm will provide a more relevant legal service with fully staffed offices in Grand Cayman and now in Hong Kong," said Michael L Alberga, the head of the Cayman Islands office.

Thorp Alberga's launch in Hong Kong, being a relatively small firm, is part of an aggressive push to challenge the major legal players in the offshore world.