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Following a successful two-year term as co-chair of the young arbitration group HK45, Herbert Smith Freehills senior associate Tomas Furlong will hand the baton over to Stella Hu, who will lead as a committee member for 2018-2020 term.

Tom, who is based in the firm's Hong Kong office, has enjoyed a successful two-year term with HK45, a group which aims to: promote the use of arbitration and Hong Kong as a seat; to provide a platform for members to learn from each other and leading professionals; and to help Hong Kong remain an inclusive and welcoming place for arbitration lawyers who practice in the region. 

At HK45, Tom launched the group's now annual pub quiz (on the final day of Hong Kong Arbitration Week), regular Arbitration Supper Clubs for young lawyers to share informal dinners with leading arbitrators, and a series of advocacy and cross examination training sessions.

Tom has now stood down as co-chair of HK45 alongside Robert Rhoda (Bird & Bird). Kiran Sanghera (HKIAC) will remain on the committee and take on the role of co-chair together with Duncan Watson (Quinn Emanuel) and Mariel Dimsey (CMS).

Meanwhile, Stella, who is a senior associate at Herbert Smith Freehills, will lead as a committee member for the 2018-2020 term. As part of the committee she will continue to promote Hong Kong as a key arbitration hub and aims to increase connections between institutions, arbitration users and practitioners in the Greater China region. A number of events in the mainland are also already being contemplated.

Simon Chapman, Herbert Smith Freehills Partner Simon Chapman, who is Co- Head of Disputes for Greater China, said: "We are very proud of both Tomas and Stella's involvement with HK45. The organisation helps drive a discussion between users and practitioners about the changing landscape in international arbitration. I want to thank Tomas for all he has done leading the organisation and I wish Stella all the best with promoting Hong Kong as a key arbitration hub."

Commenting on the news, HKIAC Secretary-General Sarah Grimmer, said: “As HK45’s anchor organisation, HKIAC is delighted to have supported the evolution of HK45 to the dynamic and inclusive group for young practitioners it is today.  I am pleased that so many members of the community expressed an interest in joining the committee for the 2018 – 2020 term.  I would like to thank the outgoing committee for their successful work. HKIAC looks forward to working with the incoming committee to continue to develop opportunities for what is a vibrant and growing arbitration community.”


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