Baker & McKenzie has hired a new partner and senior associate to strengthen its team in Yangon, expanding the new office that opened in February 2014.

Ola Nicolai Borge joins the firm from Grant Thornton Myanmar where he was managing partner.

U Than Maung, a 20-year veteran from Kelvin Chia Partnership, joined the firm as senior associate earlier this year.

Chris Hughes, managing partner of Baker & McKenzie’s Yangon office, said of the hires: “The Yangon office has been going from strength to strength since it was set up in February last year, and the additions of Ola and U Than Maung further bolster our international and Myanmar law offering on the ground to help our clients expand their business in this fast-growing market. We are looking to add further senior talent in the future to help meet the demand we are experiencing for high quality representation on novel and complex matters in this time of immense change.”

Borge has 15 years’ experience in international tax as a tax and legal advisor in South East Asia, with a particular focus on Myanmar. Before joining Grant Thornton, he established and managed the tax practice of KPMG in Myanmar.

U Than Maung is a veteran corporate and intellectual property lawyer in Myanmar. Prior to joining Kelvin Chia Partnership, he had a lengthy career with the Myanmar Attorney General’s office.

Baker & McKenzie’s Yangon office opened in February 2014, aiming to capture market share of the emerging Burmese market. The team now has a resident team of two partners and 10 legal staff who provide clients with a full-service legal offering.