Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed disputes heavyweight Justin D'Agostino as the leader of its U.S. arm.

He has taken on the role of executive partner, which will see him head its U.S. operations as well as retaining his existing roles as head of Asia and the firm's global dispute resolution group.

D'Agostino replaces partner Ian Cox in the U.S. role, who remains with the firm as executive partner for the U.K. and Europe, Middle East and Africa.