Justin D'Agostino, Herbert Smith Freehills

 

 

Herbert Smith Freehills' new U.S. leader and disputes heavyweight Justin D'Agostino talks to Law.com's Legal Week about his plans for America, how he juggles his international schedule and the importance of LGBT representation.

What is the firm's objective in the U.S.? The practice is buzzing and ambitious under our New York managing partner Scott Balber. Going forward, we are aiming to double the current size of our disputes team in New York. Demand for legal services in New York continues to grow both from our U.S. and international client base.

We have also expanded into other key areas, including outbound cross-border M&A into Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

How will you achieve these ambitions? We continue to be in the market for high-quality lateral candidates that add to the depth and breadth of our offering. We also promoted our first internal partner in New York in 2018 – Amal Bouchenaki, a leading arbitration practitioner and public international lawyer. We have an increasingly strong internal pipeline of talent. And we recently doubled the square footage of our New York office space, a necessary step to facilitate our growth plans.

Would you consider a merger with a U.S. firm? We wouldn't rule one out – but it would have to be the right fit for us.

How do you juggle covering numerous roles across the globe? I am fortunate to work with a very strong team around the world. I am unfortunate to have a lot of air miles! We plan as far in advance as possible and I try to stick to a pretty tight schedule.  Recently, I have been far more disciplined in terms of downtime, though it's not always easy to achieve, and to staying healthy – both mentally and physically.

What are your tips for beating jet-lag? If anyone has a secret remedy, I'd love to hear it. Being constantly on the move probably helps! I've been reading a lot recently about the science of sleep and its importance in supporting good decision making. I'm lucky that I've never found it difficult to sleep (on planes, or sometimes standing up, or at dinner tables), which is just as well, really.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career? There are several people at Herbert Smith Freehills, both past and present, who have had a hugely positive influence on my career. They know who they are.

My mother and grandmother have been constants in my life, supporting my ambitions since childhood and to this day, and always being there. I feel very privileged to be able to say that. Just this month, we gathered in Edinburgh to celebrate my grandmother's 90th birthday. And my partner of 15 years, KC, is quite simply incredible. We often spend weeks apart (which I think he secretly likes). Plus, he is a designer so does not tolerate much discussion about the law or law firms – which is no doubt a reason our relationship has stood the test of time.

What's your proudest professional moment? Ever since the start of my career, I have been passionate about ensuring that the legal profession is a welcoming place for everyone – regardless of background, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. Recent events in the world, though, are a stark reminder of how much remains to be done and the important, and influential role each of us has. There are many things in the area I am proud of, but setting up London's first LGBT network more than 12 years ago, and seeing how that has grown at HSF into a dynamic force for good and a trailblazer in the legal industry, is a real highlight.

What's the worst thing that's happened to you while on the job? For many years, I advised Bridgestone Motorsport of Japan. One of the things they made me do – to show that I was up to the job, I think – was three laps in Hungary in a converted two-seater Formula One car driven by a real F1 driver. If you ever want to see your life flash before your eyes, try it.

What's the most extravagant purchase you have ever made, aside from property? It is such a cliché for a middle-aged lawyer (assuming 47 is middle-aged), but there may be some expensive fitness equipment gathering dust somewhere in my flat…

What advice would you give to young lawyers starting out? Be yourself. I've found bringing your true self to every aspect of the job leads to deeper client relationships, a strong team dynamic and, most importantly, ensures that I really enjoy my job.

What do you hope to do when you retire? I talked to my team about this Q&A and this question was the one they were most interested in. Their answer was universal: that I will (finally) leave them alone.

Have you ever broken the law (other than motoring offences)? I really don't think I have, which is lucky, really, as it would tend to be incompatible with this career. I am of course acutely aware that many of my colleagues and friends work in or travel to countries where just being themselves could prove dangerous. I long for a world where that is no longer the case.

Favourite pastime? I have a real weakness for binge-watching British crime dramas on catchup and on planes. I am also partial to pasta.

What's your best party trick/hidden talent? I want to say that it lies in karaoke. My students at Tsinghua University, however, may not agree…