Herbert Smith Freehills announced today the promotion of 34 new partners to its global partnership, the largest cohort in the firm's history.

The promotions take effect on 1 May 2022. The new partners are based across the firm’s international network; in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, UK and the US.  

CEO Justin D’Agostino commented: 

"I am incredibly proud of our new partners and a huge congratulations to them on this fantastic achievement. This is the largest round of partner promotions in the firm's history, which reflects our strong commitment to investing in our very talented people in every region of our network.  

"This is a diverse, outstanding group of bright, talented lawyers and future leaders of our firm. In a world that's changing very rapidly – and with many challenges on the horizon – these new partners have demonstrated the skills and leadership qualities that we need to cement our position as a leading international law firm." 

Chair and Senior Partner Rebecca Maslen-Stannage added: 

"Our talented new partners presented a brilliant opportunity to invest heavily in the future of our firm, to ensure we continue to have the depth and experience to deliver the best service to clients, challenge ourselves to step our innovation up yet another notch, and achieve the aims of our Ambition 2025 strategy." 

"The skills of these outstanding lawyers further enhance our firm's traditional strengths and investment in strategic growth areas such as private capital, energy and infrastructure, ESG, digital and legal transformation. The talents and energy of this diverse group reflects the depth and breadth of our global business. The new partners have the expertise and experience to support our clients' evolving needs and strengthen our client base." 

Our new partners and their principal areas of practice are: 

Asia  

• James Allsop, Tokyo – International Arbitration/Corporate Crime and Investigations  
• Cellia Cognard, Jakarta – Corporate/M&A*  
• Harry Evans, Singapore – Corporate (TMT/Life Sciences) 
• Jin Kong, Hong Kong – Corporate (Capital Markets)*  
• Dan Waldek, Singapore – International Arbitration/Construction and Infrastructure Disputes 

 Australia  

• Patrick Clark, Melbourne – Competition  
• Rachel Dawson, Perth – Employment/Industrial Relations  
• Wendy Fauvel, Brisbane – Employment/Industrial Relations  
• Mark Hatfull, Perth – Corporate (Energy and Resources)  
• Nerida Jessup, Sydney – Work, Health and Safety  
• Jason Jordan, Melbourne – Corporate/M&A  
• Olga Klimczak, Perth – Employment/Industrial Relations  
• Alex Mackinnon, Melbourne – Corporate (Equity Capital Markets)  
• Niresha Mudalige, Melbourne – Real Estate  
• Aoife Xuereb, Melbourne – Commercial Litigation/Class Actions  

EMEA  

• Cameron Dunstan-Smith, Johannesburg – Corporate Crime and Investigations  
• Phil Hanson, Dubai – Projects and Project Finance  
• Jonathan Ripley-Evans, Johannesburg – International Arbitration  
• Laurence Vincent, Paris – Corporate/M&A  
• Chris Walters, Dubai – Corporate/M&A   

UK  

• Dhananjaya (DJ) Chak, London – Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance   
• Kathryn Coveney, London – Real Estate  
• Joseph Dennis, London – Private Equity  
• Heidi Gallagher, London – Corporate/M&A  
• Lyn Harris, Belfast – Alternative Legal Services (Disputes)  
• Josh Lom, London – Corporate (Tax)  
• Ajay Malhotra, London – Banking Litigation 
• Antonia Pegden, London – Disputes (Insurance, Professional Negligence and Pensions) 
• Rebecca Perlman, London – Corporate (ESG and Impact Investment) 
• Siddhartha Shukla, London – Corporate (Cross-border M&A/Tech)   
• Sebastian Taylor, London – Real Estate  
• Andrew Wells, London – Disputes (Intellectual Property) 
• Nick Wright, London – Employment  

US  

• Jonathan Cross, New York – Corporate Crime and Investigations  

Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung: Stephanie, Jakarta – Corporate/M&A 

Notes to editors: 

*Because of local regulatory requirements, Cellia's title will be Senior International Counsel, and Jin's title will be Senior Registered Foreign Lawyer (New York – USA).

1. Fourteen of this year’s partner promotions are women. 
2. The firm has also promoted 35 lawyers to counsel/consultant this year.  
3. In Jakarta, Herbert Smith Freehills' international counsel practise on secondment to associate firm Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, one of Indonesia’s leading commercial and corporate law firms. In Singapore, a Formal Law Alliance (FLA) with local law firm Prolegis allows clients to access Singapore law capability alongside Herbert Smith Freehills' international skills. In Shanghai and Beijing, the firm provides access to PRC law advice through Herbert Smith Freehills Kewei (FTZ) Joint Operation in Shanghai with Kewei Law Firm. 
4. Our longstanding association in Jakarta, Hiswara Bunjamin & Tandjung, has also promoted Stephanie to partner in its Corporate practice.