Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has appointed Hong Kong arbitration partner Justin D'Agostino as its new Greater China managing partner.

D'Agostino will replace Andrew Tortoishell (pictured) in the role from 1 May, ahead of Tortoishell's retirement from the HSF partnership on 30 June 2013.

D'Agostino has acted as counsel and advocate before tribunals in Hong Kong, London, Singapore, Beijing, Bangkok, Zurich, and The Hague, including a role for Grand Pacific Holdings Limited in its high-profile and successful appeal against a decision by the Hong Kong Court of First Instance.

Tortoishell, who became a partner at legacy Herbert Smith in 1994, has been in Hong Kong for more than 20 years. During this time he has held roles including head of corporate and managing partner of the Hong Kong office, as well as sitting on the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission's Takeovers and Mergers panel since 2009.

His mandates have included advising IBM on the $1.25bn (£837m) sale of its personal computer division to Lenovo Group Limited, the largest PC maker in China, and acting for a group of banks on the dual listing of China National Offshore Oil Corporation in Hong Kong and New York.

D'Agostino will continue to oversee arbitration in all three of the firm's offices in Greater China: Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, as well as taking responsibility for the firm's overall China strategy.

HSF Asia managing partner Mark Johnson said: "Over the course of more than a quarter of a century, Andrew has made an outstanding contribution to the firm both as a highly respected corporate lawyer and as a senior manager and leader. We are sad to see Andrew go and wish him every success and good fortune for the future."

"Simply listing Andrew's roles here over the last quarter of a century would give very little indication of the enormity of his contribution, not just to the office and the region but to the firm as a whole," said senior partner Jonathan Scott.