K&L Gates has added new partners in Shanghai and Singapore as it looks to extend its technology, e-commerce and construction disputes practices in Asia.

Corporate partner Ian Liao joins from Jones Day where he split his time between Shanghai and Beijing, and disputes partner Glenn Cheng arrives from UK firm Nabarro in Singapore.

David Tang, K&L Gates’ managing partner in Asia, said of the hires: “The new partners in Shanghai and Singapore reflect our vision for the Asia practice this year, particularly in extending our technology and e-commerce practice in this region, and in further bolstering our construction disputes capabilities in Asia.”

Liao is focused on M&A and venture capital deals, concentrating on cross-border technology transactions, while Cheng focuses on cross-border arbitration in construction, oil and gas, civil and marine engineering, on and offshore infrastructure, general engineering, and building projects.

K&L Gates has a large presence in Asia with over 100 lawyers, including 46 partners across Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore. It has 10 lawyers in Shanghai, including four partners, and 19 lawyers in Singapore, eight of whom are partners.