Australian firm Allens Arthur Robinson has appointed counsel Kate Axup as its Beijing chief representative in a bid to bolster its energy and resources capability in North Asia. Axup will move to Beijing to take up the new role next year, accompanied by lawyer Tess Fitzgerald.

Axup, who specializes in energy, water and regulatory sectors, has broad corporate and commercial experience in Australia and Asia.  She worked in the firm's Hong Kong and Shanghai offices from 1997 to 2002, and returned to Australia in 2003.
 
In addition to that, Allens has relocated counsel Steve Potter and Lawyer Ainsley Reid from Australia to join the firm's energy & resources team in Singapore.

Allens, well known for its energy and resources practice, is one of the earliest Australian firms to operate in China, established its China practice in 1996. The firm has offices in Beijing and Shanghai.