Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Asia managing partner Justin D'Agostino as its next chief executive officer. In a media statement, the Anglo-Australian firm said D'Agostino would continue to be based out of Hong Kong.

The two-year term of D'Agostino will officially commence on May 1. He will succeed London-based Mark Rigotti, who held the position for two terms.

D'Agostino leads the firm’s global dispute resolution practice within the U.S. and Asia. He joined the firm in 1998 and progressed to partner in 2007.

James Palmer, HSF chair and senior partner, thanked Rigotti for his work and called D'Agostino “a popular and strong leader.”

"I am delighted to have been appointed CEO of this great law firm. Herbert Smith Freehills has nurtured me throughout my 21 years at the firm and it is an honour and privilege to lead the business,” said D'Agostino in a media release.

In September, Baker McKenzie elected Milton Cheng as the firm’s first Asia-based chair. In an interview in the December issue of ALB, Cheng called his appointment “a big tribute to the region and recognition of the growth and the growing importance of Asia”.

 

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