UK law firm Ashurst has hired projects lawyer Tom Wilson as special counsel in Tokyo from Asian Development Bank, where he held an in-house role. Wilson will become a partner once the necessary regulatory approvals are received.

King & Spalding has hired Ryuichi Kaga, the former head of the Asian Development Bank’s Office of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), as a senior advisor in its Tokyo office.

Whether it’s the lure of further integration into the business or the temptation of a better work-life balance, more and more lawyers are today moving into in-house roles. What are some of the key attributes they would need to head the legal function at an organisation? Chris Thomson finds out.

Allen & Overy has advised Nam Ngiep 1 Power Company, a consortium formed by Japan’s Kansai power, the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Lao Holding State Enterprise, on a $916 million hydropower project on Laos’ Nam Ngiep river.