Singapore law firm Alban Tay Mahtani & de Silva - which has long enjoyed a strong reputation as a dispute resolution player - is seeking to bolster its image with the addition of new partner Anand Nalachandran.

ATMD, which is part of the AxcelAsia group and allied with Malaysia's Tay & Partners, sees the addition as a logical one, especially given the new partner's unique background.

While Nalachandran has seven years experience in general litigation, dealing with everything from commercial contracts to tenancy disutes, under his belt he has also become something of an expert criminal lawyer, having developed a well-regarded specialist criminal practice that has seen the attorney deal with everything from the Penal Code to the Securities & Futures Act.

"ATMD has an emerging Dispute Resolution practice and an impressive portfolio of long-standing clients", says Anand. "I look forward to contributing to the growth of this practice area as well as the development of the firm".