Hong Kong-based arbitration pro Ing Loong Yang has quit the partnership at U.S. law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld to begin a career as an independent arbitrator and mediator.

Yang joined Akin Gump from U.S. rival Latham & Watkins in 2022, where he had been a partner since 2013. He has expertise in cross-border disputes involving parties in Greater China, and experience as an arbitrator in cross-border disputes across Asia, focusing on disputes involving PRC parties.

Yang started his career in Singapore as a deputy public prosecutor and state counsel. He moved to private practice with Allen & Gledhill in 1999, and then moved his practice to China and Hong Kong, where he held partner positions at Sidley Austin and Latham.

In response to questions from ALB, Yang said he decided to start his own independent arbitrator and mediator practice after finding himself being increasingly approached by law firms and arbitral institutions to sit as an arbitrator. “Being an independent arbitrator allows me to accept more appointments because of the absence of conflict of interest,” Yang said.

“In the market, there is a shortage of arbitrators who have English and Chinese language ability who are well placed to sit in China-related arbitrations. I hope I can contribute to that pool of arbitrators, by bridging the gap between East and West,” he added.

Akin Gump lost a few attorneys from its Hong Kong office last year. Counsel Kwan Chi Ho joined the partnership at PRC firm Jingtian & Gongcheng in December. Partner Naomi Moore, who left Akin in January, joined DLA Piper to head its APAC restructuring practice in May.

The firm currently lists six partners in Hong Kong, as per its website, including special situations partner Tarun Warriar.

An Akin Gump spokesperson wished Yang well on his future pursuits.