Herbert Smith Freehills Justin D'Agostino has for the third consecutive year been listed as one of the Top 100 "OUTstanding and FT Top 100 LGBT Executives", an Outstanding in Business ranking which recognises prominent professionals who have made a difference in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

This year Justin is the highest ranked lawyer in the list compiled by leading network Outstanding, a not-for-profit professional network for LGBT executives, and published annually in a Financial Times special report on Executive Diversity.

Justin, 43, both Global Head of Herbert Smith Freehills' dispute resolution practice and the firm's Regional Managing Partner for Asia and Australia, is ranked alongside renowned leaders including Alan Joyce, the CEO of Qantas and Sander van ‘t Noordende, CEO of Products at Accenture.

Nominees were judged on a set of demanding criteria which included looking at an individual's seniority and influence inside an organisation, being a role model, contribution to the LGBT inclusion both professionally and personally, successes and achievements in business and how much of a difference they have made by challenging stereotypes in business.

One of a handful of Asia-based lawyers of any international firm with such senior management responsibilities, Justin is also a leading international arbitration lawyer having acted as counsel and advocate before tribunals all over the world including in Hong Kong, London, Singapore, The Hague, Beijing, Bangkok and Zurich. In the last month he has been named Asia-Pacific Disputes Star of the Year by Asia Law.  He has also acted on many of the highest profile and important arbitration-related cases in the Hong Kong Courts in recent years.

Justin is often referred to at Herbert Smith Freehills as the 'founding father' of everything LGBT having established and led the firm's LGBT networks in London and Asia, and supported the launch of the network in Australia. Justin is also a mentor with the Queer Straight Alliance in Hong Kong; a Stonewall Ambassador; and he supports improving gender imbalance on Hong Kong corporate boards as a member of the 30% Club. 

The firm itself is renowned for its LGBT activities, ranked 22nd in the Stonewall Top 100 LGBT employers and in its Global Top 10, 19th in the Pride in Diversity Top 20 and rated Silver Standard in the Hong Kong inaugural LGBT benchmark 2015.

James Palmer, Senior Partner, said:

"It is a wonderful achievement that Justin has been ranked in the Top 100 Outstanding in Business Leaders List for the third year in a row, and this year as the highest ranked lawyer. Justin is one of the firm's great role models, for everyone, gay or straight, and what defines him is his natural integrity and enthusiasm, which provide real leadership across our firm. He is now both global head of dispute resolution and regional managing partner for Asia and Australia yet he still finds the time to work tirelessly on helping roll out diversity initiatives.

"Diversity is something that sits at the heart of our firm and our range of networks, including: Disability; LGBT; Multiculturalism; Women in Business Service; Women Lawyers; Women Trainee Lawyers and Family, is testament to this".