HSF names new dispute resolution heads
A Hong Kong-based silk and a Perth-based partner have been appointed as new leaders of the dispute resolution practice at global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.
A Hong Kong-based silk and a Perth-based partner have been appointed as new leaders of the dispute resolution practice at global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.
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Simon Chapman KC and Ante Golem have been appointed as joint managing partner and head of disputes in Australia, respectively, for HSF’s dispute resolution practice.
Chapman has been a partner at the global firm since 2013. He has been a member of the ICC Court of Arbitration since 2021 and is “one of a very small number of solicitors” to have been appointed King’s counsel in England and Wales and granted higher rights of audience in Hong Kong, the firm noted.
He succeeds Sydney-based partner Anna Sutherland in his new role.
Golem, based in Perth and currently serving as the firm’s joint global head of construction and infrastructure disputes, has been a partner at HSF since 2014 and has “extensive” experience in commercial dispute resolution, including class actions and complex construction and infrastructure disputes, involving both litigation and international arbitration.
The pair will work with joint managing partner Paul Lewis, who is London-based, as well as its Madrid-based head of disputes, Paulino Fajardo.
Both appointments are effective as of 1 October.
The news follows the firm’s appointment of 62 new senior associates back in June, its naming of 10 new executive counsel in late April, its appointment of nine new partners in the same month, its appointment of an Australian as joint managing partner of its global corporate practice in February, and its promotion of four within its alternative legal services practice in January.
Speaking about the role moving forward, Chapman said: “Our clients face complex economic, digital, and geopolitical challenges, and expect our practice to understand their business as well as providing outstanding legal expertise. To meet their needs, we as leaders must develop and attract the very best practitioners across borders and industries and continue our innovation in legal and digital operations.”
Golem said: “I inherit an incredibly successful practice, thanks to Anna’s stewardship, and am honoured to be given the opportunity to support the team to build on that success as we continue to adapt to our clients’ evolving needs.”
“Our disputes landscape is shaped by local, regional, and global developments, such as the growth in class actions, increased regulator activity across sectors, and international arbitration. This makes my dual appointment alongside Simon beneficial, as demand grows for firms with a multijurisdictional platform from companies operating in multiple regions.”
Chapman said: “Anna has made an immense contribution to the disputes practice over the past four years as joint managing partner. She excels as a leader, innovator, and practitioner, and deserves our thanks for her contribution to the practice.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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