Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Hong Kong-based arbitration partner May Tai as the new managing partner of the firm’s Greater China practice, effective October 1. She will succeed disputes head Julian Copeman, who will return to the UK.

The practice comprises 300 partners, lawyers and staff in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, offering corporate, capital markets, finance and disputes advice to local and international clients. In addition to her arbitration work, Tai will closely collaborate with Beijing head Tom Chau and Shanghai head Nanda Lau as well as with the region's practice group leaders as part of her new role.

"Herbert Smith Freehills' Asia practice is growing at a rapid rate, especially in Greater China. May knows our business and our people, and is the ideal candidate to lead the team to further success," said Justin D'Agostino, the firm’s managing partner of Asia and Australia, in a statement.