HSF hands global disputes leadership role to China managing partner
Herbert Smith Freehills has named China managing partner Justin D'Agostino as the firm's new global head of dispute resolution. D'Agostino, who is based in Hong Kong, will take up the role from 1 May for a four-year term. He will remain in Hong Kong and will manage the practice while continuing fee-earning work.
March 19, 2014 at 10:08 AM
2 minute read
Herbert Smith Freehills has named China managing partner Justin D'Agostino as the firm's new global head of dispute resolution.
D'Agostino, who is based in Hong Kong, will take up the role from 1 May for a four-year term. He will remain in Hong Kong and will manage the practice while continuing with fee-earning work.
D'Agostino also heads up the firm's Greater China international arbitration practice. It is not clear yet whether anyone will replace him in either of his practice or regional leadership roles.
He replaces Sonya Leydecker as global head of disputes, with Leydecker set to take over as the firm's new joint chief executive in May alongside current managing partner Mark Rigotti.
Leydecker was head of disputes at Herbert Smith from April 2005 to October 2012 and became global head of disputes at HSF following the UK firm's merger with Freehills on 1 October 2012.
D'Agostino was made up as partner at the legacy UK firm in 2007 and became managing partner of the merged firm's Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai offices in 2013.
Several candidates for the practice head role emerged last month, with head of global arbitration Paula Hodges, Asia managing partner Mark Johnson, head of disputes in the UK and US Mark Shillito, and partners Tim Parkes and David Reston all also cited as potential contenders.
Schillito will support D'Agostino when he steps into the new role alongside fellow regional heads Geoff McClellan (in Australia) and Peter Godwin (in Asia).
Leydecker said: "Justin hails from our incredibly strong bench of disputes partners and has an impressive track record of achievement in both legal practice and management. He possesses exceptional energy, drive and commitment and has a clear vision for the disputes practice globally."
Meanwhile the firm has also appointed London partner Tim Parkes to lead the commercial litigation practice in a newly created role. Parkes will work closely with the firm's disputes management team.
Parkes has been heavily involved with developing the firm's Germany and New York offices. The firm confirmed that he will continue to do so.
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