KhattarWong has continued its regional expansion by means of an association with Hong Kong firm Alan Lam, Yam & Pe (ALYP).

The firm's Singapore and Hong Kong offices have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with ALYP, a tie up which the firm is looking to register with the Hong Kong Law Society and which allows it to expand and develop its practice in Asia. The firm said in a statement that it will specifically "prove synergistic for the firm's International China Practice".

The collaboration will see the firms working on cross-border transactions, referring legal work and managing work generated by KhattarWong's corporate advisory company in Hong Kong.

"We believe the move will create for KhattarWong an even keener competitive edge for the months ahead as we make further inroads into the Hong Kong and PRC market," said managing partner Tan Chong Huat. 

The firm has undergone an aggressive expansionary strategy in the last year, which has seen a merger with Singapore law firm Hee Theng Fong & Co to expand its China presence, the opening of a Vietnam office, a cooperation agreement with Malaysian law firm K K Chong & Company and Thai legal group Chavalit Law Group, and membership of international law association Interlex, announced this week.

In March, Tan had spoken to ALB about the firm's expansionary strategy, discussing the implications of competition and compliance with the changing legal market.

"With the maturation of the legal industry across various Southeast Asian countries and Australia, there's a need to grow organically to further the strategies of each firm," said Tan. "When the competition establishes a presence in an area where you aren't represented, they can reach out to businesses operating there, some of which may be traditionally your clients and eventually cascade that competition for that client down to your home turf."