Herbert Smith Freehills has hired disputes partner Warathorn Wongsawangsiri in Bangkok, from Thai firm Weerawong C&P.

Wongsawangsiri specialises in litigation and arbitration related to banking, bankruptcy, energy, insurance, hotel and real estate, product liability and telecommunications.

Wongsawangsiri leaves Weerawong after 15 years with the firm. He first joined White & Case's Bangkok office in 2004, which became the independent firm Weerawong in 2009 after the U.S. firm pulled out of Thailand. Wongsawangsiri made partner in 2016.

With the addition of Wongsawangsiri, Herbert Smith Freehills said in a statement that it has 25 disputes partners in Asia. In addition to Bangkok, the Anglo-Australian firm also has Asia offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo, as well as an alliance with Jakarta-based Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung. Peter Godwin heads the Asia disputes practice from Kuala Lumpur, where he also serves as office managing partner; the global disputes practice is headed by Hong Kong-based partner Justin D'Agostino.

Earlier this year, former disputes partner Jessica Fei in Beijing and former disputes senior associate Rachel Yu in Hong Kong both left to join King & Wood Mallesons as partners. In August, Herbert Smith Freehills formed a joint operation under the Shanghai Free Trade Zone programme with Chinese firm Kewei Law Firm, gaining access to Chinese litigation.

Meanwhile, Wongsawangsiri's departure leaves Weerawong with three disputes partners: Sakchai Limsiripothong, Rapinnart Prongsiriwattana and Pathorn Towongchuen.

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