Herbert Smith is gearing up its PRC arbitration practice with new additions to its Chinese offices.
Patrick Zheng, who is fluent in four different languages, will join Herbert Smith’s Beijing office as senior consultant this month. Prior to joining the firm, Zheng worked at China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC), handling over 200 arbitration cases. Damien McDonald, a senior associate in Herbert Smith’s Shanghai-based arbitration team, will relocate to Beijing to assist Zheng.
Also due to relocate is Justin D’Agostino (pictured), who will move from the firm’s London office to join the Asian team in Hong Kong. D’Agostino has experience acting as counsel and advocate before arbitral tribunals in several jurisdictions and he also sits as an arbitrator. He joined Herbert Smith in 1998 and was based briefly in the firm’s Singapore and Bangkok offices.
"These developments are part of a broader picture of investment we have made in our international arbitration practice over the last few years to service the needs of our clients globally. Justin, Patrick and May will add further depth to our China capability, fully integrating our Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing teams,” said Paula Hodges, co-head of Herbert Smith's international arbitration practice.
Further plans are underway to relocate May Tai, a senior associate from the international arbitration group in London, to Shanghai in October.
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