Allens Arthur Robinson will step up its focus on Singapore after entering into a joint venture with local firm TSMP Law Corporation.

However, a rapid growth in size should not be expected, as the supply of qualified lawyers is meagre. "There will be an increase in focus, but currently we struggle to find lawyers for the work we've already got," says Jim Dunstan (pictured), executive partner of Allens' Asian offices.

The joint venture will operate under the name Allens Arthur Robinson TSMP from 1 June. The combined entity will comprise 50 lawyers; Allens has approximately 20 lawyers in their existing Singapore office, of which three are partners, while TSMP has around 30 lawyers, including six partner-equivalents.

The joint venture permits the two firms to work together on deals, but TSMP will continue its own independent practice, operating in areas of law that remain off limits to Allens

With the establishment of the joint venture, Allens sees a long-held wish fulfilled. The firm started its first operations in Singapore in 1981 and Jim Dunstan was the first partner on the ground. "Right from the start we wanted to practise Singapore law to accommodate our clients in the region, so it's something we've wanted for 26 years by now," he said.

Allens has a longstanding relationship with TSMP and spent the last four years working towards a joint venture to ensure it got the right fit.

The Singapore move is the second major Asian expansion for Allens in six months. At the end of last year, the firm took over Phillips Fox's Vietnam offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The firm also has offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Phnom Penh, Port Moresby and Shanghai.