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Leading global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills announced today the promotion of 23 new partners to its global partnership. The promotions take effect on 1 May 2021.

The new partners are based across the firm’s international network; in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the UK. For the first time, partners have been promoted in the Milan and Johannesburg offices.

CEO Justin D’Agostino commented:

“The skills of these talented lawyers reflect both our traditional strengths as a firm and the legal innovation now entrenched across our international network, in areas such as ESG, energy transition, private capital and business and human rights.

“Their selection also demonstrates our ongoing ambition to provide clients with the very best insights and legal services to help them navigate the challenges of the new business environment.

“I congratulate them all on their success in joining the partnership, and look forward to their continued contribution to the firm.”

Chair and Senior Partner James Palmer added:

"The days on which we elect and then announce our new partners are always among the most positive across the firm, because they are core to our philosophy of building generations of outstanding lawyers committed to helping clients.

“I am delighted that the firm's strengths around the world continue to be reflected in this year's group of new partners."

 

Our new partners and their principal areas of practice are:

 

Africa

Patrick Leyden, Johannesburg     Corporate/M&A

 

Asia

Irina Akentjeva, Singapore            Corporate/Energy

Antony Crockett, Hong Kong         ESG/Business and Human Rights, Public International Law

Joseph Fisher, Tokyo                     Corporate/M&A

Dana Kim, Seoul                            International Arbitration, Corporate Crime and Investigations

Jeremy Shen, Hong Kong              Corporate/M&A and Equity Capital Markets

 

Australia

Neena Aynsley, Melbourne          Corporate (Energy, Resources and Infrastructure)

Daniel Ficyk, Sydney/Asia            Projects (Energy, Infrastructure and Construction)

Emma Iles, Melbourne                 Intellectual Property Disputes

Mark Smyth, Sydney                    Disputes

Timothy Stutt, Sydney                  ESG/Corporate Governance

Christine Wong, Sydney               Disputes (Commercial Litigation and Corporate Crime and

                                                       Investigations)

 

Europe

Julius Brandt, Frankfurt                Corporate/M&A, Equity Capital Markets and Notarial Expertise

Mathias Dantin, Paris                   Energy and Infrastructure

Jaime de San Román, Madrid      Banking Disputes and Restructuring, Turnaround and Insolvency

Pietro Pouché, Milan                     Intellectual Property and Commercial Litigation

Ivan Teselkin, Moscow                  Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

 

UK

Michael Aherne, London               Pensions

Andrew Cooke, London                Commercial Litigation and Restructuring, Turnaround and Insolvency 

Emma Deas, London                    Banking Litigation

Simon Elliott, London                    Real Estate

Chris Mann, London                      Finance

Fiona Treanor, London                  Insurance Disputes

Key contacts

Justin D'Agostino photo

Justin D'Agostino

Chief Executive Officer and Partner, Hong Kong and London

Justin D'Agostino
James Palmer photo

James Palmer

Partner, London

James Palmer

Media contact

For further information on this article please contact

Sally Greig

Head of Communications, Asia

Hong Kong

Media contact

For further information on this article please contact

Lydia Lam

Head of Communications, UK, US & EMEA

London