Litigation specialist Gavin Lewis has been appointed as the new head of Herbert Smith’s dispute resolution practice in Asia, taking over from Mark Johnson, who has become the firm's new Asian head.

Lewis will continue to be based in Hong Kong, where he has been located since 1998. Having joined the firm in 1996, he was promoted to partner in 2001. Between 2006 and 2008, Lewis was a managing director at UBS in Hong Kong, heading its litigation and regulatory functions in the Asia-Pacific region, before rejoining Herbert Smith in September 2008.

Lewis specialises in litigation and regulatory investigations in the financial services sector.  As head of Herbert Smith's disputes resolution practice in Asia, he is expected to take a lead role in the development and implementation of the firm's disputes strategy in this region.

Herbert Smith's Asia disputes team currently has 18 partners and around 80 associates based in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the PRC, Singapore and Thailand.

"I am very pleased to have someone of Gavin's experience working with the rest of the Asia management team.  Gavin has been based in Asia for many years and understands well the challenges facing our clients,” said Johnson in a statement. “Herbert Smith has the premier disputes practice in all the six countries where it practices in the region and I am confident the team will continue to grow strategically and prosper under his leadership." ALB

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