International law firm Reed Smith has opened a new office in Singapore to further expand its Asian presence.

The office will be led by Reed Smith partner Gautam Bhattacharyya, who will relocate from London.

Bhattacharyya specialises in international commercial litigation and arbitration, particularly in energy and infrastructure and corporate and commercial law disputes. He also jointly heads the firm’s cross-departmental India group and has been a partner at the firm since 2000.

Meanwhile, former Holman Fenwick Willan partners Barry Stimpson, Simon Sloane and Philip Antcliffe will join Reed Smith’s Singapore office.

Stimpson specialises in shipping and international trade. He has been based in Asia for almost 14 years and has more than 18 years of experience handling commercial, shipping and offshore matters.

Sloane practices international arbitration and commercial dispute resolution, focusing particularly in the energy and natural resources sector.

Antcliffe has rejoined Reed Smith as a partner, following his move to Citigroup in 2011. Before his move, he was an associate in Reed Smith’s energy and natural resources group based in London. Antcliffe advises clients on contracts which facilitate their commodity trading business.

Reed Smith’s Singapore branch will become the firm’s fourth location in Asia; it has established offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai.

Reed Smith says that several of its lawyers from its commodities team in London will be relocated to Singapore in due course.

“We’re excited to follow the lead of our clients in the region and continue our strategic drive into key sectors including energy, natural resources, commodities and international trade, shipping and logistics,” says Roger Parker, Reed Smith’s managing partner for Europe, the Middle East and Asia.